Perfect performance: BERU Tire Safety System in the new Alfa Romeo 8C Competizione
In super sports cars or in core models: The directly measuring BERU tire pressure control system makes all cars safer and more environment-friendly.
(Ludwigsburg, 19 August 2008) Alfa Romeo relies on the Tire Safety System by BERU for the new GT model 8C Competizione. The TSS of the specialist for ignition technology, diesel cold start technology as well as Electronics and Sensors from Ludwigsburg, Germany, monitors the tire inflation pressure of the 331 kW (450 PS) strong and almost 300 km/h-fast eight-cylinder Gran Turismo. The 8 C Competizione – result of a cooperation of Alfa Maserati, the sports car division of the Fiat group – has the BERU TSS for the US market as standard equipment; apart from that, the safety feature is available optionally. It monitors the tire pressure and tire temperature when the vehicle is on the move and alerts the driver on insufficient pressure or gradual or sudden loss of pressure.
Just like Alfa, numerous other sports car manufacturers rely on the tire pressure control system by BERU. Maserati uses the system in the Quattroporte and in the new Maserati Coupe; Ferrari installs the high-quality BERU technology amongst other cars in the F430, the 612 Scaglietti and in the 599 GTB. The 1,001 PS-strong Bugatti Veyron 16.4 and other Bugatti models are equipped with the directly measuring BERU system just like the Audi R8, the Lamborghini Murcielago and Gallardo Twilight.
For the BERU TSS system to function reliably even in extreme driving situations, its components are tested extensively on a high-speed
track. In addition to the enormously high centrifugal forces on the TSS sensors on such tracks, signal transmission between the TSS tire electronics, antenna and control unit must meet the highest demands.
The TSS system, meanwhile available as the second model generation, does not only warn the drivers of super sports cars and luxury models like the Maybach of insufficient pressure or a gradual or sudden loss of pressure. Many leading car manufacturers also use the system in their core models ex works as standard- or special equipment since 1998. Currently, the BERU TSS is used in cars of Audi, BMW, Maybach, Mercedes-Benz and Volkswagen.
Exclusively for the US market, BERU has additionally developed tire pressure control systems in cooperation with the American automotive component supplier Lear. Amongst others, these systems are installed in core models of Ford, Hyundai and Kia. The components for the tire pressure monitoring system are produced at the BERU Electronics works in Bretten and at the BERU site in Muggendorf, Germany.
BERU TSS: Less C02 – for sure
The TSS system, which received the 2007 "Genius" award of the in-surance company Allianz Versicherung, does not only contribute to increased safety in road traffic, but also helps indirectly in reducing the CO2 emission. Nowadays, every third car is on the road with the wrong tire pressure. This increases the mileage and causes a higher CO2-emission. Calculations prove: For example, experts reckon that if the tire pressure is down by just 0.6 bar, a vehicle will use around four percent more fuel. According to an examination by the FIA foundation in cooperation with tire manufacturer Bridgestone, about eight billion liters of fuel are wasted worldwide per year. This corresponds to an additional CO2-emission of 18.4 million tons per year.
