Delphi Automotive Systems unveiled a “Tech-Truck” at SAE's 2000 Truck & Bus Expo in Portland, Ore., showcasing the company's ability to integrate a variety of technologies into a Class 8 tractor for improved vehicle safety, performance and driver comfort.
Safety enhancements range from Telematic systems that use GPS for stolen-vehicle tracking, collision detection and location identification to an overhead airbag system that deploys from the roof and cab pillars to protect drivers from head trauma and keep them inside the vehicle in a rollover.
Enhancements to performance are achieved by equipping the vehicle with an absorbent glass mat battery, which has twice the life of current truck batteries and provides a 30% increase in capacity. Liteflex springs cut 50 lb. out of the vehicle's suspension, while helping improve fuel economy.
The Tech-Truck is also chock full of goodies for drivers. Delphi's Communiport Mobile Multimedia Center combines an AM/FM/WB receiver with a CD-ROM-equipped PC in the dashboard, complete with voice recognition software.
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Heavy cooler
BorgWarner Cooling Systems has introduced a new cooling fan for Class 8 vehicles in the construction, agriculture and bus markets. Model HD11 offers 6 Fahrenheit degrees more cooling and a 14% increase in airflow. Improved efficiency is achieved with a hubless design and aerodynamic blades configured to handle the needs of heavy-duty truck cooling systems without adding weight. Damage during shipping and storage-space needs has been minimized through use of an interlocking design that make the fans stackable.
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Speedco Truck Lube, which provides quick lubrication services for Class 6-8 trucks nationwide, announces that it has now serviced more than one million customers. Located on major interstates with easy access, Speedco's three-bay, drive-through centers offer a wide range of lubrication services. Check www.speedcousa.com.
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The XDS drive-axle radial truck tire delivers superior performance in the most treacherous winter elements, according to Michelin North America. Its directional tread design offers improved snow and ice traction, while reducing heel and toe wear. Full-width sipes with an interlocking pattern provide extra bite and grip on ice. Check www.michelintruck.com.
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