Most automakers have spent considerable amounts of funds to develop their own electric powertrains and axles, but automotive suppliers are beginning to tap into their engineering expertise to offer off-the-shelf solutions. GKN is the latest.
The General Motors supplier has revealed its all-electric axle concept, which it plans to show at the 2017 Frankfurt Motor Show. The concept, dubbed “eTwinsterX,” is an integrated unit that offers torque vectoring thanks to its coaxial format. A two-speed transmission is also bundled in the small package.
GKN says the e-axle could be used in front-wheel, all-wheel or rear-wheel drive vehicles, which means anything from pedestrian electric cars to hybrid supercars could take advantage of the system.
We haven’t heard anything surrounding GM and a switch to a supplier’s e-axle solution, but who knows what the future holds. GM’s first mass-market battery-electric vehicle, the 2017 Chevrolet Bolt EV, will likely provide the basis for additional electric cars to come in the future. Speaking of, Buick may be on deck for its own version of the Bolt EV.
Comments
Unless they plan to put it on the corvette e-ray?
Looks like a tight package for future hybrid system, combining electrical motor added horsepower, to existing gas engine, but also able to operate as electric only Where possible.
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How does that relate to Bosch’s recently presented “e-Achse”?
Are parts suppliers taking over the core of the automobile industry, the drive train?
Make no mistake it will not be long before we are all driving electric cars that are mostly silent. But imagine this rear axle transmission combination being driven by a howling LS mated to a generator, not unlike a Diesel Locamotive. I can’t wait to see that.