GKN has demonstrated a range of new hybrid all-wheel drive (AWD), AWD Disconnect and torque vectoring technologies that it says will make future cars more intelligent, efficient and enjoyable to drive.
Representatives from a variety of automakers have test-driven a range of innovative drivetrain concepts at the driveline specialist’s Wintertest proving ground in Arjeplog, Sweden.
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The sites low-friction ice test tracks produce on-the-limit conditions, making it easier for test-drivers to access the AWD system’s full performance.
According to the company, demand for AWD in the smaller cars of the B- and C-segments is growing strongly, particularly in markets such as China where the bestselling top-of-the-range models are often AWD. With a new generation of more fuel-efficient AWD systems now in production, drivers are enjoying the extra grip, stability and performance.
President of Group Technology at GKN, Rob Rickell commented: “By 2025, driven by GKN advances, AWD will be the driveline of choice for many drivers and premium cars.
“There has already been a major shift in the market and the public’s perception of AWD. Demand is growing strongly for AWD models based on front-wheel drive platforms – and automakers see that AWD makes hybrids and plug-ins a much more attractive proposition for consumers.”
GKN pioneered the introduction of torque vectoring technology and AWD Disconnect systems, and has invested in the development of hybrid AWD technologies.
AWD Disconnect systems respond to driver inputs and road conditions to seamlessly switch between AWD and two-wheel drive modes, actively disconnecting components such as the propshaft and rear axle to reduce friction losses and improve fuel consumption.
GKN claims that is the only Tier One supplier that can produce a complete AWD system in-house, as well as the electronics and software engineering.
The company’s driveline’s Vice President of AWD Product Technology, Rob Genway-Haden said: “Not everybody realises that with our latest generation of intelligent AWD systems, the difference in fuel efficiency can be around just 3%. By adding our AWD Disconnect, this can be minimized even further.
“Around 80% of the losses in an AWD system are frictional losses and so when you disconnect the rear axle, you remove a lot of the losses. There was particular interest in our AWD Disconnect system for A-segment platforms as it is the only scalable solution available to automakers.”
Feedback from test-drives of GKN’s eAxle systems were overwhelmingly positive. A plug-in hybrid with a GKN eAxle can improve fuel economy by 30-50% at the same time as boosting performance. GKN has already supported a number of ground breaking and commercially successful eAWD programmes, including the Mitsubishi Outlander, Porsche 918 Spyder and BMW i8.
Among the vehicles tested and demonstrated during GKN Driveline’s 2015 Wintertest programme are the Range Rover Evoque with standard and Active Drivelines; the BMW i8 with GKN’s two-speed eAxle; the Jeep Renegade with GKN’s AWD Disconnect system for compact SUVs, and the BMW X6 with GKN’s electronic torque vectoring system.
A number of development vehicles used in research programmes for automakers were also demonstrated.
