BorgWarner has secured a contract to supply its torque-on-demand transfer case with mechanical lock, known as Mlock TOD, to an unnamed Chinese original equipment manufacturer, the company announced on Monday. The drivetrain system will be featured on a newly developed full-size SUV platform, with start of production scheduled for the fourth quarter of 2026.
The system combines automated torque-on-demand four-wheel drive functionality with selectable mechanical lock modes. BorgWarner said that it developed the solution to replace traditional part-time four-wheel drive setups, which require manual driver intervention to switch modes, with an automated torque distribution system aimed at improving ease of operation across different driving environments.
Henk Vanthournout, Vice President of BorgWarner Inc. and President and General Manager of Drivetrain and Morse Systems, stated that the award extends a 20-year supplier relationship with the Chinese automaker. He noted that the Mlock TOD system integrates torque-on-demand four-wheel drive with mechanical lock modes to address diverse driving conditions and enhance vehicle handling and safety.