National Press Release

DETROIT, Jan. 14 /PRNewswire/ -- On January 14, the editors of Ward's Auto World will present their annual "10 Best Engines" awards to automakers whose powertrains excel in the magazine's objective and subjective test. More than half of those engines use technology that will help meet fuel economy and emissions challenges are developed and supplied by Continental, a leading worldwide automotive supplier.

For a third year in a row, BMW's 3.0-liter turbocharged inline 6-cylinder gasoline engine featuring Continental's piezo direct injection technology was recognized. The piezo direct injection technology offers a highly precise injection improving fuel economy. Direct injection fuel delivery injects gasoline directly into the engine's combustion chamber, enabling the vehicle to start with less fuel, while simultaneously improving vehicle drivability and emissions.

"Continental has the innovative engine management technologies available today to meet the challenging performance, efficiency and emissions standards of the industry's most successful brands, and we congratulate all of our customers who have received this prestigious recognition," said Kregg Wiggins, Senior Vice President Powertrain, Continental NAFTA -- Region.

The honor has been bestowed upon automotive engines for 15 years by Ward's editors. The editors evaluated and scored each engine against all others in a number of objective and subjective parameters over nearly a 2-month period. Each engine must be in production on a U.S. model vehicle and on sale by first-quarter 2009, in a vehicle priced under $54,000, a price cap indexed to the average cost of a new vehicle.

According to Wiggins, the six award-winning engines that use Continental technology are at the forefront of important trends in engine development:

-- The downsizing and boosting of gasoline engines to reduce fuel consumption and emissions without sacrificing power;

-- Improving the performance and refinement of diesel engines to make them more attractive to consumers in North America;

-- Simultaneously delivering improved power, performance and fuel economy from large displacement engines in performance vehicles and trucks.

Continental customers BMW, General Motors, Chrysler, Volkswagen and Honda all earned "10 Best" awards from Wards:

BMW 3.0-liter, Turbocharged Inline 6-cylinder

-- This engine marries the inherent refinement of the in-line 6-cylinder layout with twin-turbochargers and Continental's direct injection system for gasoline engines.

-- In BMW 1-Series, this engine produces 300 hp, 300 lb.-ft. of torque and delivers 25-mpg highway.

-- Continental supplies BMW with the Piezo injectors, engine control unit, high-pressure fuel pump, smart coolant pump, the electronic throttle control and various sensors.

-- Continental's Piezo direct injection technology recently earned the first Environmental PACE (Premier Automotive Suppliers' Contribution to Excellence) Award from the editors of Automotive News magazine.

BMW 3.0-liter, Turbocharged Inline 6-cylinder Diesel

-- Continental technology also is found on this new, 50-state legal, clean diesel engine, which is available on the BMW 335d. It produces 265 horsepower, 425 lb.-ft. of torque and returns 36-mpg highway.

    -- Continental supplies air control valves for this engine.

General Motors 3.6-liter Direct Injection V-6

-- Continental supplies electronic control units for this gas-powered, direct injection engine and its 3.0-liter sibling.

-- Knock Sensor's -- an acceleration sensor provide increasing engine power and decreasing fuel consumption.

-- In the Cadillac CTS, the 3.6-liter engine produces 304 hp using regular unleaded gasoline. The same basic engine also will power the 2009 Chevrolet Traverse crossover, which is the most fuel-efficient 8-passenger SUV.

Chrysler 5.7-liter HEMI V-8

-- Using Continental powertrain control modules, fuel rail assembly and injectors, electronic throttle control and more, Chrysler has extensively improved the performance, refinement and fuel economy of this versatile engine, which powers models ranging from the Dodge Challenger R/T to the 2009 North American Truck of the Year finalist Dodge Ram.

-- In the Ram, the engine offers 4 percent improved fuel economy, 13 percent more horsepower and 8 percent more torque compared with the 2008 engine.

Volkswagen 2.0-liter TDI Clean Diesel

-- This new engine, which powers the 2009 Volkswagen Jetta TDI, has fuel economy that rivals gas-electric hybrids, plus torque and refinement that meets or exceeds many gasoline-fueled V-6 engines.

-- Continental's smart air control value helps reduce tailpipe emissions by improving the efficiency of the exhaust gas recirculation system and it also aids refinement by effectively eliminating typical diesel engine vibrations on shut down.

    Honda 3.5-liter SOHC V-6
    -- Engine Controllers
    -- Electrically-controlled Exhaust-Gas Recirculation (EEGR) valve

With targeted annual sales of euro 25 billion for 2008, the Continental Corporation is one of the top automotive suppliers worldwide. As a supplier of brake systems, systems and components for the powertrain and chassis, instrumentation, infotainment solutions, vehicle electronics, tires and technical elastomers, the corporation contributes towards enhanced driving safety and protection of the global climate. Continental is also a competent partner in networked automobile communication. Today, the corporation employs approximately 146,500 at nearly 200 locations in 36 countries.

Continental AG's Powertrain division is specialized in vehicular integration of innovative and efficient drivetrain systems. These solutions boost performance and enhance ride comfort while reducing consumption and emissions. As partner to the automotive industry, the division, operating at over sixty locations worldwide, develops and produces a wide-ranging product portfolio extending from gas and diesel injection systems and engine and transmission controls through to components and systems for hybrid drives. The Division posted sales of more than euro 5 billion in 2006. It currently has a workforce of around 26,000.

SOURCE Continental AG