The electric motor, transmission and power electronics have all been integrated into one unit, which Continental says is scalable between 60kW and 120kW and can be used in anything from plug-in hybrids to powerful EVs. The motor is available in two variants depending on the purpose: asynchronous or permanent-magnet synchronous, making the package truly flexible for different uses.
The new system has been developed solely for the Chinese market, and Continental is pinning its success on industry experts predicting that the market for hybrid and electric vehicles will grow rapidly to reach 34 million by 2025, a quarter of the world market.
The integration of the transmission and power electronics means many components have been avoided altogether, such as connectors, cables and hydraulic connections, cutting down on costs and reducing weight by around 15%. Continental developed the new system at its facilities in Berlin and Nurnberg, but the powertrains will be adapted for specific customer use in China.
Head of the hybrid electric vehicle business unit at Continental’s powertrain division, Dr Bernd Mahr, says; “Thanks to its compact packaging, our new electric drive is not only lighter, but also more powerful than comparable concepts. This makes it fun to drive, which is an important factor in the acceptance of electric mobility. A favorable cost level adds to the benefits. This is why we are convinced that this electric drive is precisely the right concept for the Chinese market.”