PARIS, October 2 /PRNewswire/ -- Valeo announced today that its StARS micro-hybrid system, already available on the smart mhd for a year, will now be extended to all 45 KW and 52 KW gasoline engine models.
This system shuts the engine off when the vehicle is stationary, at a red light, for example, and starts it up instantly and silently as soon as the brake pedal is released, generating fuel savings of up to 19%.
The rising urban population is making city streets increasingly congested. Given that cars in the city are stationary for over one third of the time, with the engine idling uselessly, the Stop-Start function takes on considerable significance. In heavy city traffic, fuel savings can reach 25%. Valeo considers that this system will inevitably be extended to all vehicles worldwide.
StARS is already available on the Mercedes-Benz A and B Classes and on the Citroën C3 and C2, and will equip one million PSA Peugeot Citroën vehicles by 2011. Recognized by automakers, it has received several international prizes, including the 2008 Automechanika Innovation Award in the "systems" category and the 2006 Pace Award.
During the Paris Motor Show, in order to allow the public to discover this technology, several smart and C3 models equipped with StARS and decorated in Valeo's colors will be on show at the entrance to the event during the press days and at weekends. An educational mock-up of this system will also be on display at the Valeo booth, along with other technologies enabling a reduction of up to 40% in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions.
Valeo is an independent industrial Group fully focused on the design, production and sale of components, integrated systems and modules for cars and trucks. Valeo ranks among the world's top automotive suppliers. The Group has 122 plants, 61 R&D centers, 9 distribution centers and employs 59,700 people in 28 countries worldwide.
For all additional information, please contact: Claire Vidal Pilo, Product and Technology Media Relations, Tel.: +33-1-40-55-21-26, claire.vidal-pilo@valeo.com; Sylvie Delion, Product and Technology Media Relations, Tel: +33-1-40-55-20-96, sylvie.delion@valeo.com
