Continental supplying 48V Eco-Drive for Jeep Wrangler eTorque mild-hybrid system
17 January 2019
Continental’s liquid-cooled 48-volt Eco Drive—a belt-driven starter generator with integrated inverter—supports FCA US’ eTorque mild-hybrid technology in the new Jeep Wrangler. (Earlier post.)
Continental’s compact 48-volt Eco Drive with integrated power electronics contributes to the benefits eTorque technology offers, including better fuel economy, improved auto-start response, overall start-stop functionality and reduced noise levels.
Eco Drive provides up to 88.5 lb-ft (120 N·m) of torque delivered to the crank via the engine’s front-end accessory drive. This enables auto-starts in less than 0.5 sec.
The 31.5-lb (14.3-kg) Jeep version also helps maximize regenerative braking and offers 4.1 kW/L in power density.
Further, the technology helps deliver torque to the wheels more than twice as fast as a conventional 12-volt starter can accommodate. The liquid-cooled 48-volt Eco Drive also spins the engine faster, making eTorque’s benefits more readily apparent.
The liquid cooling of the Continental system’s Eco Drive and inverter results in power capable of delivering high performance at high ambient temperature.
Continental’s 48-volt Eco Drive is based on a modular concept. This allows Continental to scale the technology to meet the power and performance demands of multiple vehicle classes, including the compact Renault Scénic diesel, Audi A8 performance sedan, and the high-volume Jeep Wrangler SUV.
Additionally, consumers may experience the all-new eTorque technology in the 2019 Ram 1500, named North American Truck of the Year at the North American International Auto Show and a 2019 Wards 10 Best Engines winner.
I almost hate to say it, but adding mild hybrid technology to a vehicle with the aerodynamics of a brick is like putting lipstick on a pig.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 17 January 2019 at 03:41 AM
Its not as spectacular as the newest Prius or Leaf, but the biggest gains to come from a form of hybrid are going to be from traditionally inefficient vehicles such and trucks and big SUVs. Getting a Jeep Wrangler from say 14mpg to 18mpg is larger gain than any car from 45mpg to 60mpg. It's l/100km that makes this more obvious. 16.8l/100 to 13l/100 vs 5.2l/100 to 3.9l/100. The hybrid Jeep in the hypothetical scenario saves 3.8l/100 vs the alternative of 1.3l/100.
But the lipstick sure makes this pig look pretty to EPA.
Posted by: Jason Burr | 17 January 2019 at 08:54 AM
The biggest gain would be from getting people to stop buying trucks and SUVs as "lifestyle statements" and go back to passenger cars. Hefty guzzler taxes plus restrictions on over-tall vehicles which block lines of sight for drivers behind would go a long way to getting rid of this sick trend.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 17 January 2019 at 10:54 AM
E-P:
Well said..Here in California, they hardly fit in the parking spaces and the demand has driven truck prices up beyond premium cars. I'm hoping EV cars catch on and trucks go back as work and utility vehicles.
Posted by: Lad | 17 January 2019 at 01:24 PM
Convincing people to stop buying monster trucks and SUV even with hefty guzzler tax probably won't work. The good news is that according to the Detroit News "Ford Motor Co. plans to launch full battery-electric F-150 and Super Duty pickups, company officials told investment analysts Wednesday." Also, Jeep does plan next year to build a PHEV Jeep Wrangler and PHEV throughout their product line. There is even talk of an all electric Jeep.
Unfortunately, these monsters will still block your "line of sight" particularly on Super Duty pickups which can have a body lift of 31 inches! At least their fuel economy will go up.
Posted by: Account Deleted | 18 January 2019 at 01:37 PM
Perhaps non-commercial LDVs above a certain weight and footprint should be required to be PHEVs, then. This would drive the cost up, but in a good cause: replacing petroleum fuel with (at least potentially) non-emitting electricity. The bigger the vehicle, the bigger the battery and the more it would cost.
Posted by: Engineer-Poet | 21 January 2019 at 09:16 AM