BorgWarner Drivetrain Group Powers the Honda Ridgeline

AUBURN HILLS, Mich., Feb. 7 -- BorgWarner will provide its electronically controlled all-wheel drive InterActive Torque Management II (ITM II)(TM) system to the 2006 Honda Ridgeline, the mid-size front-wheel drive-based pickup with which Honda Motor Co. officially enters the truck market.

The ITM(TM) system offers consumers better handling and fuel economy, improved security, and more flexibility than passive, mechanical all-wheel drive systems. BorgWarner also supplies a number of components for the vehicle's transmissions, and the clutchpack assemblies for the ITM(TM) system.

According to Honda, the Ridgeline has the best fuel economy in its class, with 21 miles per gallon on the highway and 16 in the city. The vehicle targets not only pickup owners but owners of sport-utility vehicles and cars who are attracted to its cargo capacity and car-like interior. The company estimates that it will sell 50,000 Ridgelines this year. Honda showcased the vehicle, which goes on sale in March, in high-visibility advertising spots during yesterday's Super Bowl.

The BorgWarner ITM(TM) system's patented technology electronically senses when a vehicle's front wheels slip and instantaneously transfers power to the rear wheels. The system individually controls the rear wheels to offer side-to-side or single-wheel torque management. BorgWarner engineers based the new system on their electronic innovations in rear-wheel drive systems for larger sport-utility vehicles first introduced in the mid-1990s.

Anticipating that consumers will appreciate the same security and handling features in their front-wheel vehicles, BorgWarner is adapting the electronic technology for minivans, station wagons, cars and crossover vehicles (sport-utility vehicles on car platforms).

"Since its late-2000 debut with Honda, the BorgWarner InterActive Torque Management(TM) system has become the benchmark against which other all-wheel drive systems are measured," said Cindy Niekamp, President and General Manager, BorgWarner TorqTransfer Systems. "As a lightweight 'smart' system, BorgWarner's InterActive Torque Management(TM) all-wheel drive system improves fuel economy and reduces emissions as compared with today's mechanical systems. This is because our system is not engaged continuously, but only as conditions require it."

The ITM II(TM) system is fully interactive with other vehicle systems such as anti-lock brake and vehicle dynamic systems. Enhanced traction and stability provided by the new technology is an added benefit for off-road as well as towing applications.