- Innovation Improves Fuel Economy By
Up To 80 Percent For All-Wheel-Drive Vehicles
GUELPH, Ontario, April 15, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- 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.