Automakers are test-driving a new torque-vectoring electric drive system by GKN Automotive that will make hybrid vehicles more efficient and dynamic.
The “eTwinster” technology is part of a range of new hybrid electric technologies GKN is showcasing to customers at its Wintertest proving ground in Arjeplog, Northern Sweden.
The eTwinster is a plug-in hybrid module that makes it simpler for vehicle platforms to offer electric all-wheel drive and torque vectoring. The driveline combines eAxle technologies proven in the Volvo XC90 T8 Twin Engine, Porsche 918 Spyder and BMW i8 plug-in hybrids, and the twin-clutch torque vectoring technology that features in the Ford Focus RS and Range Rover Evoque.
Automakers’ vehicle dynamics experts are test-driving the technology in a premium SUV prototype. In the vehicle, a 60kW, 240Nm electric motor drives an electric axle with a transmission ratio of 1:10. A dual-clutch Twinster system then vectors the resulting 2,400Nm of torque between the rear wheels, significantly improving dynamic response and handling.
GKN Automotive President of Technology Peter Moelgg said: “GKN is the industry leader in eAxle technology with all our core eAxle and torque vectoring technologies now in production and proven expertise in integrating complete driveline systems. We have been building the momentum towards electric torque vectoring for some time. We believe our prototype torque-vectoring eAxle system represents the next step forward for the industry: a production-ready way to create higher performance hybrids that are more rewarding to drive.”
By 2025, GKN forecasts that 40-50 percent of vehicles will have some level of electrification, with a greater proportion hybrids’ power delivered from the electric motor. The eTwinster could be programmed and integrated into a vehicle platform for production within the next three years.
The eTwinster is part of a range of new eDrive technologies that GKN is developing to help shift the balance of power from engines to batteries in the next decade. Current mass-production vehicle platforms can only draw around 30 percent of their energy from a battery. GKN expects small, powerful, torque-vectoring electric axles could deliver 60-70 percent of the power in future vehicles.
Peter Moelgg added: “GKN is focused on developing technologies that can achieve this crucial tipping point for electric drives in mass production. More powerful, dynamic electric drives from GKN will help put batteries in the driving seat and create new electric driving experiences for customers. The success of our eAxle systems in cars for Porsche, BMW and Volvo demonstrated how the right kind of hybridisation creates new value propositions for the driver. Torque vectoring is the next step and we are excited to be demonstrating this technology during Wintertest.”
GKN has a history of developing innovations that make vehicles more responsive, controllable and efficient. The company has evolved in the last five years from being the world’s largest supplier of constant velocity joints and lightweight driveshafts into a leader in intelligent hybrid and all-wheel drive systems.
The eTwinster forms part of GKN’s family of Twinster technologies, designed to meet automakers specific vehicle needs.
