Continental Temic holds key to lower emissions

Continental Temic’s ISAD system is being seen as the key to lower fuel consumption and less CO2 emissions. ISAD stands for Integrated Starter
Alternator Damper, and following the debut of this technology in a General Motors light truck in 2003, the system is to be fitted to another US-built vehicle later this year. In addition, development engineers at Continental Temic are readying the system for volume production for two European carmakers.

During braking, ISAD generates electrical energy with a matchless efficiency of around 80 per cent and stores it, ready to boost the performance of the internal combustion engine during acceleration. The start/stop function also helps cut fuel consumption. As soon as the vehicle comes to a halt, the engine is automatically switched off. Then, the moment the driver depresses the gas pedal, ISAD restarts the engine almost silently.