With a record-breaking line-up of over 70 new cars and concepts launched, Geneva 2012 shows the industry’s global trend. For GKN Driveline, with over 65 percent of the mainstream launches featuring its technology, the annual showcase confirms the engineering company’s position as the global driveline leader.
“Geneva 2012 is an emphatic display of our global position,” said GKN Driveline global engineering director, Rob Rickell. “With a broad range of new cars from face-lifts to global firsts to concepts, this show is a glowing indictment of the industry’s determination to meet new challenges and we are pleased to play our role in this, exploring new driveline technology to reduce the weight, mass and drag of our components while delivering more power and torque for our customers.”
In addition, vehicle manufacturers are seeking greater sophistication of driveline performance and many of the Geneva launches feature the latest GKN Driveline technology to achieve just this.
Some examples include:
Electronic Torque Vectoring (ETV): On the new BMW X6 M50d, this is an active torque management device designed to overcome the tendency of vehicles to under-steer under power in corners. The ETV applies an additional yaw rate to the vehicle to improve agility, handling and to stabilise the vehicle under power. This yaw rate is realised by distributing drive torque individually to both wheels of one axle through the ETV. At Geneva, BMW launched three new versions of its M Performance X6, also fitted with GKN Driveline CVJ systems.
Electro-Magnetic Control Device (EMCD): A key component in the driveline of the new high performance Mini JCW Countryman ALL4, the EMCD is an actively controlled coupling in on-demand and full-time all-wheel-drive mode controlling the driveline power flow for 2/4-wheel drive vehicles to provide optimum performance when needed.
At extremes, up to 50 percent of the power can be sent from the primary driven axle to the secondary driven if necessary. Most often the EMCD will be working to provide optimum apportionment of power between the rear and front wheels in a wide range of driving manoeuvres. For instance, when accelerating from a stop, enhancing control in corners, adapting to poor, varied or ice and snow road conditions.
Power Transfer Unit (PTU): GKN Driveline is now a global leader in the specialised area of PTUs as fitted to Ford’s new Kuga and Mini’s new high performance JCW Countryman ALL4 – both revealed at Geneva. An integral part of all-wheel-drive vehicle systems, the PTU helps to optimise traction by transferring drivetrain torque to the vehicle’s rear wheels to improve traction – a vital feature for driving in conditions such snowy, icy or wet road.
The Kuga is also fitted with GKN Driveline CVJ systems while the Mini also features the company’s EMCD.
Electronic Torque Manager (ETM): Fitted to the new BMW M6 Coupe, the new ETM on all M series is a rear axle differential with an integrated active differential that provides greatly enhanced vehicle traction and stability through high speed optimal torque allocation to the powered wheels. Its integrated electronically controlled direct actuation makes it a highly suited module for improving dynamic performance in performance cars in all road conditions. The new M6 Coupe is also fitted with GKN Driveline CVJ systems.
Direct Torque Flow (DTF): DTF has been fitted to Audi’s third-generation A6 Allroad Quattro and the Audi RS4 Avant. DTF is a means of connecting the car’s transmission with the rear differential in a way that saves weight, assembly time, space and cost on the longitudinal shaft.
With DTF technology, manufacturers can do away with bolts, washers, flanges and one stub shaft and be assured of conveying the power and torque of the gearbox output to the rear differential in a way that greatly reduces the risk of NVH and shaft imbalance. The new Audi also has the company's CVJ systems.
Electric all-wheel drive – eAxle: As fitted to a growing number of new PSA Peugeot Citroen HYbrid4 cars displayed at Geneva, GKN Driveline’s eAxle with motor and sideshafts is a break-through technology that is in increasing demand from vehicle manufacturers.
The eAxle provides a simple, flexible and cost-effective solution that addresses two key requirements from the vehicle manufacturers: firstly, reducing emissions and improving fuel economy and secondly achieving all-wheel drive capability. By creating a hybrid electric powertrain, the system can deliver a 30 percent improvement in fuel economy, while at the same time providing on-demand all-wheel drive – with no need for a mechanical link between the combustion engine and the rear axle.