All-Wheel Drive and Hybrid – Symbiosis of Traction and Efficiency

Authors

Peter Pichler, Robert Schaffernak, Johannes Linderl, Andreas Schmidhofer, Konstantin Erjawetz, Florian Kramer, Gerald Teuschl, Magna Steyr Fahrzeugtechnik AG & Co KG, Graz Manfred Speiser, Magna Powertrain; Volker Hartmann, Siemens VDO

Year

2007

Summary

One of the main objectives in automotive R&D programmes today is the development of alternative drive train systems aimed at saving energy resources and reducing emissions while giving consumers more performance and better functionality. Part of our R&D work focuses on producing hybrid drive train systems based on the combination of combustion engines with electric motors. Hybridization of a drive train has been achieved with E4WD modules developed together with MAGNA POWERTRAIN and Siemens VDO using results from the K-net KFZ network dedicated to vehicle drive concepts for the future. The highly integrated modular designs cover a wide range of applications, from mild to full hybrid solutions suitable for the various vehicle platforms in all vehicle classes. Consisting of two electric motors and four hydraulically actuated clutches, the hybrid drive train system delivers major benefits in driving performance and fuel economy. The E4WD solution with an electrically driven axle is a 4WD solution with improved driving dynamics - electric torque vectoring allows torque to be transferred to the wheels completely independently of the primary drive train. A full hybrid demo vehicle has been built to prove the E4WD concept´s feasibility.

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