ZF has launched its first column drive steering system in the US on the redesigned 2017 Jeep Compass.
"With the launch of our latest column drive EPS, ZF is bringing cost and environmental benefits to automakers and their customers," said Thilo Bitzer, vice president of steering engineering for the active and passive safety technology division.
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"The technology can deliver a fuel saving of up to 4% with a corresponding reduction in carbon dioxide emissions when compared to a conventional mechanical rack and pinion steering system."
Electric steering also can be integrated with other systems to yield functions such as lane keeping assist/lane centring, which FCA US has implemented on a number of vehicles using ZF camera technology. The system can also help provide further benefits such as side wind compensation and speed sensitive steering for greater assist at lower speed (such as parking manoeuvres) and a tighter steering feel at higher speeds.
"EPS will also play a key role in vehicle control for future semi- and fully automated vehicles and ZF is already building in redundant circuits and features to help assure fault tolerant operation of the system," Bitzer added.
ZF first started production of its EPS technology in 2001 and has since produced more than 30m units for customers worldwide. This particular system is sold to FCA globally and is manufactured in Mexico, Brazil, China and Poland.
