LETTER FROM UK: TECH & INVESTMENT CONTINUE EVEN AFTER BREXIT
- Can torque vectoring technology help with range anxiety?
- The automotive industry is still innovating despite the Brexit impact.
- Geoff Maxted, DriveWrite Automotive Magazine, examines this letter from the UK.
One of the recurring themes in “Letter from The UK” over the last few months has been Brexit. Great Britain is leaving the horror that is the European Union at the 29 th march this year. Everyone and their dog has an opinion. As the accusations and recriminations have reached a fever pitch, neighbours are turning on their neighbours. The UK is a very successful country in many areas.
For example, unemployment is low.
It is particularly true in the area of automotive technology. Buses are a good example of this.
Range Anxiety and Electric Cars
Electric cars are the latest innovation. The writer is a fan of EVs, and believes that they offer a lot for motorists if a long trip is not required. This country is smaller than America. An electric car can handle 90 percent of the driving we do on a daily basis. In the USA, they might be fine for towns and cities. But out in the wild, blue yonder I’m sure that there aren’t many public charging stations.
New research and ‘current winter trials’ in Sweden by a GKN Automotive company have introduced some new EV science that could help solve range issues: a 2-speed transmission and torque-vectoring on the front axle.
We learn that the test vehicle is equipped with a two-speed, optimised ‘Seamless Shift eTransmission’ and technology for’smart switching’. This can extend vehicle range and produce more torque and acceleration. It also allows for a faster top speed. The torque vectoring capabilities of the company’s ‘eTwinster system’ are said to be able to provide exceptional stability and driving performance.
‘eTwinster’ Test Car
The demonstration vehicle, based on the Jeep Renegade standard model, has apparently undergone extensive winter testing in order to show how auto manufacturers can use innovative drivetrains to achieve industry leading standards for electric cars. The demonstration vehicle shows the layman clearly how technology is improving and evolving to enhance efficiency, safety and driving dynamics.
Renegade is equipped with a pure electric motor that has two speeds. The two-speed electric gearbox allows for seamless shifts with minimal power and torque loss, while also increasing acceleration and efficiency. The range will increase if the car is more efficient. It’s a theory.
The new torque vectoring technology offers specific benefits for vehicle safety, agility and stability. The ‘eTwinster system’ regulates acceleration by modulating the high initial torque from the electric motor. It also offers greater lateral control, and optimised driving dynamics at the front wheels for safety and driver satisfaction.
The torque vectoring system is used in vehicles like the Honda Ridgeline to improve control, stability, and traction. Photo: Honda North America.
Torque Vectoring
The torque vectoring feature allows the differential of a vehicle to control the torque applied to each wheel. Recent years have seen this method of power transmission become more popular, especially in motors with all-wheel drives. Newer front-wheel-drive vehicles may also feature a basic torque differential. More vehicles will have this technology as automotive technology advances. The wheels can grip the road better for better handling and launch characteristics.
Other European Countries
the future of electric vehicles is here and it’s coming fast. It seems that new innovations are being introduced almost daily. Recent research has shown that the range problem could be solved in a clever way if it proves viable. Carbon fibres have been shown to be able to store energy, and this could be a major advantage for electric vehicles. The carbon fibre idea could be used to turn the entire car body into a battery, as each car is limited in the amount of batteries it can carry.
The storage capacity will be greatly increased if the entire vehicle is used as a power source. This means that the travel distance can be significantly increased before recharging. It’s hard to imagine how we would feel about being surrounded by so much electricity that it could power a town, but the scientists are all over this idea.