Delphi steering system an option on 2001 VW model

PARIS (Oct. 9)—Volkswagen A.G. has specified Delphi Automotive Systems´ E-Steer electric power steering system as an option on its 2001 Lupo 3L TDI, a high-mileage model due in dealer showrooms across Europe later this year. The E-Steer system eliminates the pump, hoses, hydraulic fluid, drive belt and pulley associated with a traditional hydraulic power steering system, thereby reducing mass and power drain while increasing packaging flexibility. Delphi claims use of E-Steer helps improve a vehicle´s fuel economy by an average of 5 percent compared with a traditional hydraulic steering system. The VW Lupo gets more than 75 miles per gallon of diesel with the electronic steering system, Delphi said. The system´s mileage impact by vehicle type ranges from 1.3 miles per gallon improvement for subcompact vehicles to about half a mile per gallon improvement for mid- to large-size passenger vehicles.