The October 2022 issue is now available online! Packed full of news, interviews and features, including:

AUDI TORQUE SPLITTER: Audi is a brand that has always done battle with the way physics punishes poor weight distribution, but now it insists the RS 3 has a fix for it in its active differential.

CONTROL SOFTWARE: With software an ever-increasing element of vehicle design, how is it used to optimize transmission operation and efficiency?

EQUIPMAKE : The use of a novel two-stage reduction transmission has helped create an exceptionally power-dense e-axle.

MULTISPEED RETURNS: The Porsche Taycan’s 2-speed transmission was a game-changer. can the multispeed concept achieve widespread application in the passenger car market? TTI asks industry experts for their opinions.

BMW-ZF 8HP: BMW has worked closely with transmission supplier ZF on a refined version of the latter’s benchmark 8-speed auto.

TRANSMISSION LIGHTWEIGHTING: What will a lightweight transmission system look like in 2030? TTI uncovers the solutions that developers are working on for the future.

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The September 2022 issue is now available online! Packed full of news, interviews and features, including:

MAZDA CX-60 DIESEL: Mazda has revealed the new diesel engine for its large platform models, promising better efficiency than ever.

TECH INSIDER WAE EVR: The skateboard concept is popular, but for a true sports car Williams advanced engineering has developed an alternative solution on a modular platform.

INVERTER TECHNOLOGY: Inverter technology is vital to electric vehicle performance. The latest advances in silicon IGBT’s point to greater range and effiiciency, but silicon carbide is fast becoming the technology of choice.

SOUND ACTUATION: Electric vehicle regulatory acoustic vehicle alert systems (avas) have given sound designers and engineers a springboard from which to develop an ev’s more distinct character. apti discovers how ev sounds are created to elicit a more ‘emotional’ driver response.

TECH INSIDER TOYOTA BZ4X: As well as giving Toyota a foothold in one of the market’s most competitive segments, the bz4x electric SUV is spearheading platform and powertrain development for a new generation of electric vehicles.

Note to iPad and iPhone readers: to view this digital edition with the latest interactive features, please ensure you have upgraded your tablet or iPhone to at least the iOS 5 Operating System.

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Eneos, Suzuki, Subaru, Daihatsu, Toyota, and Toyota Tsusho have established the Research Association of Biomass Innovation for Next Generation Automobile Fuels to study ways to optimize the process of producing fuel.

This new research association will aim to promote technological research on the use of biomass, as well as the efficient production of bioethanol fuel for automobiles through the optimized circulation of hydrogen, oxygen, and CO2 during production to achieve carbon neutrality.

Specifically, the study will look at efficient ethanol production systems, with the aim of improving production technology for second-generation bioethanol fuel that does not compete with food.

As part of this, the research association will design, install and operate production facilities, identify issues with production, research solutions and study ways to improve the efficiency of production systems.

The association will also research by-product oxygen, CO2 capture and utilization. This includes looking at how to use the high concentration of oxygen generated as a by-product during hydrogen production as well as the CO2 generated during bioethanol fuel production.

Research on the efficient operation of the overall system, including fuel utilization, will also take place, with the research association investigating the issues involved with using bioethanol fuel obtained through the research program in automobiles and other vehicles and exploring solutions. It will also study model formulas that can make predictions of raw material cultivation production volumes and fuel production volumes.

Finally, the research association will focus on efficient raw material crop cultivation methods, developing a system that proposes optimal cultivation methods for maximizing yield and optimizing crop components to secure raw materials for bioethanol fuels.

This research will aim to improve the accuracy of crop yield predictions through soil composition surveys and other methods.

Hyundai Motor’s N sub-brand has revealed a ‘rolling lab’ concept to demonstrate its zero-emissions ambition. The RN22e, which uses the HMG E-GMP platform, has been refined and optimized to produce racetrack-ready performance.

Designed with the ambition to maximize N’s three performance pillars (cornering, racetrack capability and everyday sportscar), the RN22e is the result of consistent cornering development since the launch of the N brand. This means it features an e-LSD.

To enhance the concept’s racetrack capability, N focused on cooling and braking to enhance endurance. Having four-piston monoblock calipers and a 400mm hybrid disc allows RN22e to withstand the weight of its power electric (PE) system. Hyundai N plans to use the RN22e to study how to deliver dynamic movement with regen braking.

As a rolling lab, Hyundai N will continuously develop the featured technologies for future RN22e iterations. The RN22e will continue to develop alongside Hyundai N’s progress in motorsports expertise.

Cummins and Turkish bus company Otokar have reached a production milestone following a 16-year-long partnership. The two companies have now seen the delivery of more than 20,000 engines for bus and coach applications.

Since the first installation in 2006, Cummins diesel and natural gas engines have featured in the majority of Otokar’s city and inter-city buses, with approximately 90% of buses produced at its Sakarya manufacturing facility running Cummins Euro VI F2.8, B4.5, B6.7 low-emission diesel or L9N natural gas engines.

Cenk Yavuz, Turkey territory manager at Cummins, said, “We are excited to celebrate this key milestone with Otokar. Since supplying our first engine, the Euro IV ISB4.5 for the Sultan midi-bus in 2006, we have worked in partnership to ensure our products meet Otokar’s needs for high performance, reliability, simplicity and easy maintenance. As Otokar’s business continues to expand, we look forward to working with them on future projects.”

Otokar recently announced an extension to its product line-up. the Centro 6.6m minibus is powered by a Cummins F2.8, 107 kW (143hp) Euro VI engine and enables Otokar to compete in the premium minibus market.

Kerem Erman, assistant general manager of commercial vehicles at Otokar, added, “The Turkish bus market grew 8% by units last year and we increased our market share substantially. One out of every two buses sold in Turkey was Otokar branded, many of which were Cummins powered.”

Euro Manganese has become a member of the Global Battery Alliance (GBA), a partnership of leading organizations from across the battery value chain, governments, academics and NGOs to ensure that battery production supports green energy, safeguards human rights and promotes environmental sustainability.

As the first high-purity manganese company to join the GBA, Euro Manganese intends to participate in discussions around battery materials transparency and traceability, particularly as the GBA advances the development of a digital representation of an electric vehicle battery – the Battery Passport. 

Dr Matthew James, Euro Manganese’s president and CEO, said, “We share the GBA’s goals of circularity, environmental protection and sustainable development. The Battery Passport will be a valuable resource to measure EV battery quality and improve overall industry sustainability performance.”

Hydrogen fuel cell powertrain developer Viritech has signed a memorandum of understanding (MoU) with thermal management technology company Reaction Engines to support the development of more efficient powertrains for hydrogen FCEVs.

Reaction Engines, which originally developed technology for hybrid air-breathing rocket engines to quench airflow temperatures of over 1,000˚C to ambient in a fraction of a second, launched its Applied Technologies division in 2019 to bring its thermal management solutions to other sectors, including automotive.

The two companies will jointly explore the first use of Reaction Engines’ technology in FCEV powertrains. Reaction Engines’ system promises to significantly reduce the size and weight of the cooling system for both the fuel cell and the battery pack.

Timothy Lyons, CEO at Viritech, said, “We are excited by the speed at which Viritech is gaining recognition across the automotive industry for its groundbreaking advances in hydrogen powertrain technologies.

“Today’s announcement with Reaction Engines demonstrates how we are also working increasingly with leading British companies to cement the UK’s position as the go-to supplier of hydrogen technologies for global OEMs and Tier 1s.”

Tom Burvill, director of applied technologies at Reaction Engines, added, “We are thrilled to be working with Viritech on such a pioneering project that should pave the way for more efficient zero-emission powertrains across the automotive sector. It’s a great example of how we can leverage our unique thermal management technology to help decarbonize this industry.”

Hofer Powertrain has successfully patented its new Form Litz Wire winding technology. The company states that the new technology – which aims to allow electric motors to be smaller and lighter while maintaining the same high performance as pull-in and hairpin units – will offer significant economic, efficiency and sustainability benefits.

“Achieving multiple efficiency and sustainability goals in powertrains with our technology makes us particularly proud,” commented Johann Paul, CEO at Hofer Powertrain.

Form Litz Wire consists of parallel wires packed into a highly compact form, ensuring a high filling factor. This enables effective integration with various cooling systems, and a reduction in energy losses by up to 25%. In addition, the quantity of copper, iron and rare earth metals in this permanent synchronous motor (PSM) is substantially lower.

The Hofer winding technology is designed to be cost efficient, with the Form Litz Wire’s robust design lending itself to consistent production quality and scope for automation. This means that in the near-term, manufacturers will be able to use conventional hairpin winding tools to achieve production. The company is now directing its efforts toward large-scale production to increase the economic benefits even further.

Automotive supplier Marelli has developed a new platform of 800V inverters. Equipped with silicon carbide (SiC) technology, the platform promises improvements in inverter size, weight and efficiency thanks to the material’s optimal performance at high temperature and high voltage.

The 800V inverter platform, which is the result of 10 years’ experience, also features an optimized thermal structure, deploying innovative structural and cooling channel designs that drastically reduce the thermal resistance between the SiC components and the cooling liquid.

This allows the inverter platform to extract more energy from the battery at higher efficiency and secure a significant increase in the driving range. It also ensures faster charging times and improved acceleration.

“The new platform based on our 800V SiC power module technology allows to serve applications where energy use is optimized, the performance is maximized and efficiency is dramatically improved,” said Dr Razvan Panati, head of power electronics technology in Marelli’s vehicle electrification division. “With a complete range of modular solutions, we are able to offer our customers more flexibility in terms of packaging, cooling system design and energy storage.”

Marelli’s inverter software is developed in-house by the company and is hosted by an electric control unit in the same inverter case. The software is compliant with Automotive Open System Architecture standards and is specifically customized for the diagnostic standards required by car makers. Functional safety requirements are compliant with ASIL D (Automotive Safety Integrity Level D) standard.

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Download the Automotive Powertrain Technology International App NOW to read the latest issue! The App is free and gives you access to a library of back issues.

The June 2022 issue is now available online! Packed full of news, interviews and features, including:

CZINGER 21C : Chief engineer, Ewan Baldry, and director of powertrain, Jim Maher, give APTI the lowdown on the Czinger 21C – a high-performance hybrid that shines a light on the myriad possibilities of additive manufacturing.

OEM INTERVIEW : Mercedes-AMG: Chief technical officer Jochen Hermann discusses the prospects for the V8 engine in Affalterbach as parent company Daimler invests more money into an electric future.

AWARDS : Ahead of the International Automotive Powertrain of the Year Awards’ return from hiatus, judges from around the world dissect some of the most impressive drive systems to hit the market in recent times.

BATTERY SIMULATION : Industry experts at the likes of Batemo, About:Energy and Comsol debate the efficacy of physics-based and equivalent circuit modeling as simulation becomes increasingly important.

KOENIGSEGG QUARK : Koenigsegg combines radial and axial flux tech to deliver a compact and powerful e-motor that tips the scales at just 30kg. The OEM’s e-motor design lead Dragos-Mihai Postariu gives APTI the full development story.

WIRELESS CHARGING : Could wireless charging offer fast, convenient charging for future EVs? Specialists from Volvo, VW Group and WiTricity deliberate whether the industry and its external stakeholders will come together to make it work.

Note to iPad and iPhone readers: to view this digital edition with the latest interactive features, please ensure you have upgraded your tablet or iPhone to at least the iOS 5 Operating System.

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