BMW M GmbH has begun first test drives with a prototype for innovative high-performance electric drive and chassis control systems. The concept testing focuses on a four-wheel drive system comprising four electric motors and an integrated driving dynamics control system. With the completely new drive concept, BMW M GmbH is... Read more →

During an annual global technology event, ZF presented its advanced steer-by-wire technology for the front axle and announced that this technology will be launched with industrial scale by a major global automaker within the next year. ZF has procured additional customer contracts in all major regions for its steer-by-wire systems... Read more →

The all-new Austral premières the third generation of Renault’s 4-wheel drive system: the 4CONTROL Advanced. Renault is introducing 4-wheel steering technology in the new CMF-CD platform. Thanks to electronic control of the rear wheel steering, it is now possible to modify the rear suspension to offer the best performance in... Read more →

BMW introduced all-wheel drive more than 35 years ago; for almost two decades the intelligent power distribution between the front and rear axles has been known as BMW xDrive. Now the first all-electric BMW xDrive system can also be experienced on the road. It premieres in the BMW iX and... Read more →

Hyundai is establishing a Safety Test and Investigation Laboratory (STIL) at its Michigan-based research and development center, Hyundai America Technical Center, Inc. (HATCI). The new facility will further augment existing safety testing and analysis. A field crash investigation lab, high voltage battery lab, forensics lab, 500m track and a Vehicle... Read more →

In a brief describing the suspension of the new ID.4 electric SUV, Volkswagen noted that the ID.4 uses the new, networked Vehicle Dynamics Manager (VDM) introduced with the new Golf. In front-wheel drive Golfs, the VDM coordinates and activates the functions of the electronically controlled front-axle locking differential (standard in... Read more →

Volkswagen unveiled the latest generation of the brand’s performance halo, the new Golf R. In addition to improved power, torque and fuel economy, the new Golf R features a newly developed torque vectoring 4Motion all-wheel-drive system and a Vehicle Dynamics Manager. The new performance-oriented all-wheel-drive system is exclusive in North... Read more →

Power management company Eaton has introduced InfiniTrac, an electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated, variable-bias limited-slip differential that delivers optimized vehicle performance at any speed and traction condition. InfiniTrac provides a wide range of functionality for passenger vehicles. It operates as an open differential until needed, and then applies the necessary torque... Read more →

EV platform company p and KYB Corporation (KYB), one of the world’s largest suppliers of suspensions, announced a strategic partnership to develop suspension capabilities for future electric vehicle (EV) platforms. Automotive Tier 1 supplier KYB’s semi-active and active suspension systems will boost REE’s next-generation EV platform, which delivers complete design... Read more →

Nissan has developed new twin-motor all-wheel-control technology called e-4ORCE for electric vehicles. The technology provides instant torque to all four wheels to deliver balanced, predictable power and handling on par with many premium sports cars. Nissan’s newelectric concept Ariya features the new e-4ORCE system The e-4ORCE twin-motor all-wheel control technology... Read more →

Audi is offering a predictive active suspension for the new Audi A8 luxury sedan (earlier post). Electromechanical actuators adjust the suspension. They can lift up or force down each of the luxury sedan’s wheels individually, to manage the body’s ride height in every situation actively. The active suspension can lift... Read more →

The third generation of the BMW 1 Series—to be unveiled to the public in June and to make its show premiere at IAA in Frankfurt in September— showcases the debut appearance of BMW’s advanced new front-wheel-drive architecture. Benchmark driving dynamics for the segment and a far more spacious interior are... Read more →

Toyota launched its completely redesigned RAV4 in Japan. The new RAV4 features the first Dynamic Torque Vectoring AWD system, which enables precise and stable steering by adopting a torque vectoring mechanism, which independently distributes torque to the left and right rear wheels according to driving conditions in addition to the... Read more →

Porsche’s new eighth generation of the Porsche 911 features Porsche Wet Mode, an innovative assistance system introduced exclusively for the 911. The system includes a function for detecting significant wet road conditions and a corresponding vehicle setup for increased driving stability on wet road surfaces. Wet Mode was developed to... Read more →

Volvo Cars has introduced a new Polestar-developed software upgrade that increases torque distribution to the rear wheels of Volvo cars equipped with all-wheel drive (AWD) for more dynamic driving. The optimization software, developed by Volvo Car Group’s new electric performance brand Polestar, increases the amount and frequency of torque distributed... Read more →

DARPA’s Ground X-Vehicle Technologies (GXV-T) program (earlier post) aims to improve mobility, survivability, safety, and effectiveness of future combat vehicles without piling on armor. Several Phase 2 contract awardees recently demonstrated advances on a variety of potentially groundbreaking technologies to meet the program’s goals. We’re looking at how to enhance... Read more →

Volkswagen’s new third-generation Touareg SUV (earlier post) offers new advanced running gear made largely of lightweight aluminum, featuring a combination of four-corner pneumatic suspension with adaptive electronic damping control and—for the first time at Volkswagen—a completely newly developed electromechanical active roll compensation system (eAWS). The eAWS features active anti-roll bars... Read more →

Japan-based NTN, a leading global supplier of hub bearings and driveshafts, will supply in-wheel motor technology to EV startup Changchun Fawsn Auto Tech (FSAT), established in October 2017 by FAW Group. FSAT will exhibit a prototype vehicle at the upcoming Beijing Motor Show. NTN’s latest in-wheel motor NTN began work... Read more →

Tenneco, one of the world’s leading designers, manufacturers and distributors of Ride Performance and Clean Air products and technology solutions for diversified markets, signed a definitive agreement to acquire Federal-Mogul, a leading global supplier to OEMs and the aftermarket. Tenneco is acquiring Federal-Mogul from Icahn Enterprises L.P. for a total... Read more →

At the New York International Auto Show, Nissan revealed the 2019 Altima. The sixth-generation of the best-selling mid-size sedan features two new powerplants, including the advanced variable compression unit first introduced in the Infinit QX50 (earlier post); the first available Intelligent All-Wheel Drive in a Nissan sedan in the US;... Read more →

GKN Driveline has begun testing an SUV technology research vehicle which showcases the company’s eDrive, All-Wheel Drive (AWD) and systems integration capabilities. Based on a Mercedes-AMG GLA 45, the one-off GKN Technology Demonstrator 2018 vehicle (GTD18), features mechanical and electric Twinster torque vectoring, a plug-in hybrid system, and completely re-engineered... Read more →

Toyota Motor Corporation has developed a new continuously variable transmission (CVT) featuring a launch gear; a new 6-speed manual transmission; a new 2.0-liter engine with 40% thermal efficiency (41% in hybrid applications); a new 2.0-liter hybrid system; and new 4WD systems—one for gasoline-engined cars, one for hybrids—based on the Toyota... Read more →

Toyota unveiled the new fifth-generation Avalon at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit. Avalon received an all-encompassing makeover by Toyota’s US-based design, engineering, and manufacturing entities at Calty Design Research Inc. (Calty) in Ann Arbor, Michigan; Toyota Motor North America Research and Development (TMNA R&D) in Saline, Michigan;... Read more →

For the new i3s electric vehicle (earlier post), BMW not only the increased output of the motor but also developed an innovative traction control system adapted specifically to the instantaneous power deliver of the BMW eDrive system. BMW has now announced that it will use the new i3s traction control... Read more →

Mitsubishi Motors Corporation (MMC) will stage the world debut of the e-Evolution Concept—a new-generation, high-performance all-electric crossover SUV—at the 45th Tokyo Motor Show, indicating a direction Mitsubishi Motors can take in the near future. The triple-motor 4WD system employs a single motor to drive the front wheels, and a new... Read more →

GKN Driveline will reveal a new electric axle concept at the Frankfurt International Motor Show (IAA) this week. The new eAxle eTwinsterX offers three key advantages over conventional electric drivelines, GKN says: size, efficiency and torque vectoring. The integrated coaxial format means that the electric drive (eDrive) unit is significantly... Read more →

Audi’s new A8 is a technology showcase for the brand, from powertrains (earlier post) and materials (earlier post) to autonomous driving and advanced driver assistance systems (earlier post). The A8 also features two new technologies for the suspension. New dynamic all-wheel steering combines direct, sporty steering with unshakable stability. The... Read more →

The new Audi A8 will feature a fully active, electromechanical suspension system which drives each wheel individually and adapts to the prevailing road conditions. Each wheel has an electric motor which is powered by the A8’s 48-volt electrical system—used for the first time as the main electrical system. (The Audi... Read more →

Audi is unveiling a new battery-electric e-tron concept in Shanghai: the Audi e-tron Sportback. The production version will come in 2019 as Audi’s second battery-electric offering, following the introduction of the production version of the Audi e-tron SUV (earlier post) in 2018. The e-tron Sportback uses a three-motor, all-wheel-drive system... Read more →

The all-new Opel Insignia Grand Sport, arriving in the market early this year, will be available with a torque vectoring all-wheel drive system. The new Opel Insignia uses a GKN Twinster all-wheel drive system with a rear drive module that uses a twin clutch system without differential. The two clutches... Read more →

Audi is introducing a quattro all-wheel-drive version of its diesel Audi TT 2.0. (Earlier post.) The new model is now on sale in Europe, and will be available for delivery from the beginning of 2007. Coupled to the S tronic six-speed dual-clutch transmission, the sporty TT diesel quattro Coupé delivers... Read more →

Dana Incorporated introduced the Spicer Electrified family of fully integrated motor, control, and e-drive technologies that advance electric propulsion systems for light-duty, commercial, and off-highway vehicles. Currently in production, the Spicer EV Drive for electric vans manages speed and torque from the e-motor to the wheels. Planned for launch in... Read more →

With the arrival of the new Golf Alltrack, the all-wheel-drive derivative of the Golf SportWagen, in US dealer showrooms in October, Volkswagen of America is offering an affordable, upscale and very fun-to-drive (more on this below) entry into an underserved market segment: all-wheel-drive wagons. More specifically, Volkswagen is directly targeting... Read more →

Honda Motor Co., Ltd. began accepting applications in Japan for custom orders of the all-new NSX hybrid supercar (earlier post), which underwent a full redesign for the first time in 26 years since the introduction of the original NSX. Customer delivery will begin on 27 February 2017. Pricing starts at... Read more →

Audi is developing a prototype electromechanical rotary dampening system called “eROT,” in which electromechanical rotary dampers replace the hydraulic dampers used today for an even more comfortable ride. The eROT system also offers the potential for energy recuperation from the suspension. Every pothole, bump, and curve in the road induces... Read more →

In Rio de Janeiro, Nissan Motor unveiled working prototypes of its futuristic electric Nissan BladeGlider vehicle. The vehicles, developed from concept cars first shown at the Tokyo Auto Show in 2013 (earlier post), symbolize future technologies that will combine Intelligent Mobility, environmentally friendly impact and sports-car driving capabilities. After two... Read more →

Mazda Motor Corporation is introducing SKYACTIV-VEHICLE DYNAMICS, a series of new-generation vehicle motion control technologies. The first in the series, G-Vectoring Control, will be introduced to all new-generation models starting with the updated Mazda Axela (known as Mazda3 outside Japan), which has just gone on sale in Japan. By adopting... Read more →

Xtrac has introduced its P1227 gearbox family, developed to address the growing market requirement for single-speed, lightweight and power-dense electric vehicle (EV) transmissions. It offers a range of installation possibilities for fast and powerful electric supercars with front-wheel drive, rear-wheel drive or four-wheel drive configuration. The new transmission system can... Read more →

Acura will run an all-electric, NSX-inspired EV Concept in the Electric Modified Class at the 2016 Broadmoor Pikes Peak International Hill Climb. The Acura EV Concept features a further evolution of the experimental, all-electric, 4-motor Super Handling All-Wheel Drive (SH-AWD) powertrain that won last year’s Pikes Peak Challenge Exhibition class.... Read more →

Wrightspeed Inc. announced a US$30M deal with Infratil-owned NZ Bus, New Zealand’s largest operator of urban bus services. Under the terms of the deal, Wrightspeed will provide its Route 500 heavy-duty range-extended electric powertrain technology to NZ Bus. The move marks Wrightspeed’s first expansion beyond refuse and delivery applications into... Read more →

The Advanced Research Projects Agency - Energy (ARPA-E) has issued a $30-million funding opportunity (DE-FOA-0001564) for the Next-Generation Energy Technologies for Connected and Automated On-Road Vehicles (NEXTCAR) program. (Earlier post.) NEXTCAR seeks to fund the development of new and emerging vehicle dynamic and powertrain (VD&PT) control technologies that can reduce... Read more →

Audi is introducing a diesel-engined S model to its Q7 model line. The newly developed 4.0-liter V8 diesel delivers 320 kW (435 hp) and 900 N·m (663.8 lb-ft), with estimated NEDC fuel consumption of 7.4 liters of fuel per 100 kilometers (31.8 mpg US), corresponding to CO2 emissions of 194... Read more →

Researchers in the HRL Laboratories Sensors and Materials Laboratory have developed an active variable stiffness vibration isolator capable of 100x stiffness changes and millisecond actuation times, independent of the static load. According to Principal Investigator Christopher Churchill, “This performance surpasses existing mechanisms by at least 20 times in either speed... Read more →

For more than 30 years, Audi quattro has been a permanent all-wheel drive system. (Earlier post.) In 2015, more than 40% of all Audi customers chose a quattro model; the Audi Q5 topped the list with more than 260,000 units. Audi is now introducing a new “quattro ultra” technology that... Read more →

Following the world premiere of the V8-powered LC 500, Lexus is introducing the new LC 500h, featuring the first Multi Stage Hybrid System, the next-generation of hybrid powertrains specifically designed for performance vehicles. The LC 500h delivers total system output of 264 kW (354 hp), with a targeted 0-100 km/h... Read more →

Automakers are test-driving a new torque-vectoring electric drive system by GKN Automotive. The “eTwinster” technology is part of a range of new hybrid electric technologies GKN is showcasing to customers at its Wintertest proving ground in Arjeplog, Northern Sweden. The eTwinster is a plug-in hybrid module that makes it simpler... Read more →

Porsche has restructured its Boxster mid-engine roadster lineup, introducing the new 718 Boxster and 718 Boxster S. The launch of the new 718 Boxster generation represents the first time since the late 1960s that Porsche is implementing sports cars with four-cylinder flat (i.e., horizontally opposed, or “boxer”) engines. The outgoing... Read more →

The production version of Audi’s e-tron quattro battery-electric SUV (earlier post) will be equipped with the second-generation of Audi’s central driver assistance controller the zFAS (earlier post), according to Ricky Hudi, Executive Vice President Electronic Development, Audi AG. The vehicle will be capable of driving fully autonomously, he said at... Read more →

The production version of Audi’s battery electric e-tron quattro SUV (earlier post), due out in 2018, is an important vehicle for the brand, and especially for Audi of America, which is driving many of the requirements for the C-segment electric SUV. At the LA Auto Show, Audi of America President... Read more →