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Delphi Corporation: Delphi Technology on the New Ferrari 458 Italia

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  Published in House and Home on Tuesday, September 15th 2009 at 6:28 GMT by Market Wire
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FRANKFURT, GERMANY--(Marketwire - September 15, 2009) - Fitting its long history of developing high-performance products for high-end luxury vehicles and sports cars, Delphi Corp. will supply key technologies to the new Ferrari 458 Italia including optimized air conditioning, advanced wiring systems and innovative suspension that contribute to the vehicle's lighter weight and lower emissions.

"Reducing overall vehicle weight goes a long way in terms of reducing carbon dioxide emissions. For this reason, weight reduction has taken on an even greater role with automakers including such luxury brands as Ferrari," said Ron Pirtle, president, Powertrain Systems and president, Delphi Europe, Middle East and Africa. "Both Delphi's air conditioning and electrical/electronic architecture systems help enable weight reduction. This helps lower emissions and fuel consumption while still maintaining the luxury performance for which Ferrari is known."

Optimized air conditioning meets high-performance needs

Delphi worked closely with Ferrari engineers to develop a complete air conditioning system for the 458 Italia that provided not only top-notch passenger comfort but was also lightweight.

The 458 Italia's new Delphi heating, ventilation and air conditioning (HVAC) includes an innovative dual-zone heating, ventilation and air conditioning system specifically designed to optimize weight, packaging and user interface. The system also includes Delphi's latest generation compact variable compressor, which features an energy-saving seven piston continuously variable mechanism allied to the A/C system's control software, which allows for optimized fuel efficiency and engine power availability.

In the end, Delphi's HVAC system for the Ferrari 458 Italia is 36 percent lighter than its predecessor but still allows for a 15 percent increase in cooling power. For drivers, this means less fuel consumed without sacrificing the basic cabin comforts.

Delphi has been supplying climate control technology to Ferrari since 1992.

Reduced CO2 emissions with advanced Halogen-Free Ultra-Thin-Wall Cable from Delphi

Delphi also continues its long-standing relationship as a premier electrical/electronic architecture supplier to Ferrari on the 458 Italia. Since the early 1990s, Delphi has worked with Ferrari co-developing and co-designing E/E systems and components to meet Ferrari's very high performance and quality demands. The 458 Italia features wiring harnesses with Delphi's Halogen-Free Ultra-Thin-Wall Cable, a highly durable automotive cable with significantly lighter and thinner insulation than traditional cable. A recyclable and environmentally-friendly product free of dangerous halogens, it offers pinch resistance nearly double that of traditional cable, and outstanding abrasion resistance. The use of this advanced cable also leads to cable size and weight reduction which, in turn, cuts down on the amount of CO2 emissions the vehicle produces.

The insulation on Delphi's Halogen-Free Ultra-Thin-Wall Cable is half as thick as conventional coatings -- 0.2 mm versus 0.4 mm -- or about as thick as two sheets of paper, reducing weight by up to 27 percent and volume by up to 47 percent as compared to thin-wall cable.

Improved suspension response with MagneRide™

The new 458 Italia will be equipped with the latest version of Delphi's MagneRide™ advanced suspension control system. The system has been updated to respond even faster to road conditions improving Ferrari's already top-notch ride and handling performance.

"Delphi's new electronic control unit (ECU) coupled with updated software help make an already highly responsive system even better," said Doug Carson, Delphi engineering director, suspensions. "We believe MagneRide continues to be the fastest, most powerful controlled suspension system on the market."

MagneRide virtually eliminates the traditional need for a ride/handling compromise. Using patented shock absorbers filled with a proprietary controllable magneto-rheological fluid, the system offers increased damping tuning capability and speed of response over valve-based controlled suspension systems. This means better transient handling -- both for turn-in and yaw stability -- and superior road isolation that will result in increased driver comfort. Drivers will also experience a more precise steering feel and control of the vehicle even at top speeds.

For the new 458 Italia, Delphi and Ferrari engineers worked together to develop a system that achieves the highest possible performance.

"This partnership raises the bar on vehicle suspension technology and resulted in creating a MagneRide vehicle unlike any other," said Carson.

For more information about Delphi (PINKSHEETS: [ DPHIQ ]), visit [ www.delphi.com ].

FORWARD-LOOKING STATEMENTS

This press release as well as other statements made by Delphi may contain forward-looking statements that reflect, when made, the Company's current views with respect to current events and financial performance. Such forward-looking statements are and will be, as the case may be, subject to many risks, uncertainties and factors relating to the Company's operations and business environment which may cause the actual results of the Company to be materially different from any future results, express or implied, by such forward-looking statements. In some cases, you can identify these statements by forward-looking words such as "may," "might," "will," "should," "expects," "plans," "anticipates," "believes," "estimates," "predicts," "potential" or "continue," the negative of these terms and other comparable terminology. Factors that could cause actual results to differ materially from these forward-looking statements include, but are not limited to, the following: the ability of the Company to continue as a going concern; the ability of the Company to operate pursuant to the terms of the liquidity support agreements with GM, its debtor-in-possession financing facility and the related accommodation agreement, and to obtain an extension of term or other amendments as necessary to maintain access to such liquidity support agreements and facility; the Company's ability to obtain Court approval with respect to motions in the Chapter 11 cases prosecuted by it from time to time, and to consummate the Modified Plan or any subsequently filed plan of reorganization and to consummate such plan or other consensual resolution of Delphi's Chapter 11 cases; risks associated with third parties seeking and obtaining Court approval to terminate or shorten the exclusivity period for the Company to propose and confirm one or more plans of reorganization, for the appointment of a Chapter 11 trustee or to convert the cases to Chapter 7 cases; the ability of the Company to obtain and maintain normal terms with vendors and service providers; the Company's ability to maintain contracts that are critical to its operations; the potential adverse impact of the Chapter 11 cases on the Company's liquidity or results of operations; the ability of the Company to fund and execute its business plan as described in the Modified Plan as filed with the bankruptcy court and to do so in a timely manner; the ability of the Company to attract, motivate and/or retain key executives and associates; the ability of the Company to avoid or continue to operate during a strike, or partial work stoppage or slow down by any of its unionized employees or those of its principal customers and the ability of the Company to attract and retain customers. Additional factors that could affect future results are identified in the Annual, including the risk factors in Part I. Item 1A. Risk Factors contained therein and in Part II. Item 1A. Risk Factors in the Quarterly Report on Form 10-Q for the quarter ended March 31, 2009. Delphi disclaims any intention or obligation to update or revise any forward-looking statements, whether as a result of new information, future events and/or otherwise. Similarly, these and other factors, including the terms of any reorganization plan ultimately confirmed, can affect the value of the Company's various prepetition liabilities, common stock and/or other equity securities. Under the Modified Plan confirmed by the Court on July 30, 2009, holders of Delphi's common stock will receive no value.