Innovation Improves Fuel Economy By Up To 80 Percent For
All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
GUELPH, ON, April 15, 2013 /CNW/ - As global demand for
vehicles with all-wheel drive (AWD) capabilities and increased fuel
efficiency continue to grow, Linamar Corporation's newly developed
Agilit-e™ Hybrid Power Unit offers automakers a
modular system for hybrid all-wheel drive applications. The Linamar
system also offers increased safety while reducing vehicle
emissions and improving city driving fuel economy by up to 80
percent.
Linamar's demonstration vehicle, a Cadillac SRX, features the
Agilit-e™ Hybrid Power Unit with twin independent
75kW motors. Its lithium-ion batteries supply the SRX with enough
electric power to run up to 20 miles without using its internal
combustion engine and provide extra power that can be utilized to
improve acceleration when required. The twin motors can be
programmed for fully independent active torque vectoring, which
increases safety and handling by improving front-to-back and
side-to-side drivability and optimizes vehicle stability during
turns, evasive maneuvers and slippery conditions.
The Agilit-e™ Hybrid Power Unit can be
integrated with virtually any existing standard two-wheel drive
powertrain design to achieve an all-wheel drive hybrid system. The
combination of conventional front-wheel drive and electric
rear-wheel drive greatly improves fuel economy, vehicle stability
and performance, at a reduced overall system cost.
"Consumers increasingly want the safety of all-wheel drive, the
fuel efficiency of a hybrid, and the power of an internal
combustion engine," said Mark
Stoddart, CTO, Linamar Corporation. "The
Agilit-e™ Hybrid Power Unit answers all of those
needs without sacrificing performance or adding significant
costs."
Agilit-e™ is a fully integrated, modular and
scalable unit that eliminates mechanical complexity and allows for
'bolt-on' installation between the vehicle's suspension components.
The unit can be used on a wide-range of applications from micro
hybrid to PHEV/EV. The Agilit-e™ system is
capable of powering the rear wheels in conjunction with the
traditional powertrain, which drives the front wheels, allowing the
vehicle to operate in four different drive modes: front-wheel drive
(FWD) mode powered only by the internal combustion engine (ICE);
electric only (EV) mode, which is rear-wheel drive powered only by
the battery and the electric motors; and Hybrid and AWD modes,
which allow the ICE and the rear electric motors to work together
to provide the desired combination of fuel economy and
performance.
In a vehicle equipped with the Agilit-e™
Hybrid Power Unit, the electric mode would typically be used for
city driving, which burns no gasoline resulting in zero tailpipe
emissions and maximum fuel efficiency. Hybrid-electric is best
suited for a combination of city and highway driving, with the
vehicle powered by the battery and internal combustion engine. The
AWD capability is used when handling and performance are needed,
for example, during evasive maneuvers or on icy, snow-covered
roads. The vehicle's conventional engine will take control at
highway cruising speeds where these engines operate at their peak
efficiency.
The Agilit-e™ Hybrid Power Unit currently is
undergoing evaluation with a number of global automakers.
About Linamar
Linamar Corporation (TSX:LNR) is a diversified global manufacturing
Company of highly engineered products powering vehicles, motion,
work and lives. The Company is made up of 2 operating segments –
the Powertrain/Driveline segment and the Industrial segments which
are further divided into 4 key divisions – Manufacturing,
Driveline, Industrial Commercial Energy ("ICE") and Skyjack, all
world leaders in the design, development and production of highly
engineered products. The Company's Manufacturing and Driveline
divisions focus on precision metallic components, modules and
systems for engine, transmission and driveline systems designed for
passenger vehicle markets. The ICE group concentrates on similar
products for on and off highway vehicle, energy and other
industrial markets. The Company's Skyjack division is noted for its
innovative, high quality mobile industrial equipment, notably its
class-leading aerial work platforms and telehandlers. With more
than 17,200 employees in 40 manufacturing locations, 5 R&D
centers and 15 sales offices in 12 countries in North America, Europe and Asia, Linamar generated sales of more than
$3.22 Billion in 2012. For more
information about Linamar Corporation and its industry leading
products and services, visit www.linamar.com.
SOURCE Linamar