Magna presents new battery-electric and hybrid drives
Automotive supplier Magna has unveiled two new drive systems – one for plug-in hybrids and pure electric cars. In developing them, the company says it has placed emphasis on efficiency and aims to increase ranges – or in the case of the PHEV, reduce emissions.
++ This article has been updated; all recent info below. ++
The all-electric ‘EtelligentReach’ all-wheel-drive system is said to increase range by 20 per cent, or more than 145 kilometres, compared to currently produced electric cars through upgrades to the software and hardware, Magna claims. At the same time, performance is also said to have been improved.
The all-wheel-drive system is said to feature an intelligent “decoupling” function that allows the electric vehicle motors to be switched on or off as needed. The inverters are said to use advanced silicon carbide technology, contributing to increased efficiency. This is to be complemented by the enhanced operating software, which is to be used in all Magna BEV and hybrid drives in the future.
In the ‘EtelligentEco’ PHEV system, Magna relies on a 120 kW electric motor and a new hybrid transmission, according to the release, and promises a purely electric range of 100 kilometers. The drive system is said to have been designed for high electric driving shares in as many situations as possible. Magna promises to reduce greenhouse gas emissions by up to 38 per cent – but the company is not more specific about this.
Among other things, this is to be made possible by a “unique cloud connection”. In the process, the system recommends a charging station when a charging process becomes necessary. If possible, charging points with locally generated green electricity are preferred, the statement says. If Magna also includes these functions in its own calculation of greenhouse gas emissions, the alleged 38 percent improvement has not only been achieved in the vehicle – but also depends on the infrastructure.
The supplier unveiled the two powertrain systems at its winter test center in Arjeplog, Sweden. “As automakers continue to progress towards a zero-emissions future, we are the supplier partner that can give them new and innovative products to help them get there,” said Tom Rucker, president Magna Powertrain. “Based on our vehicle systems expertise and scalable building blocks technology approach, we can match our customers’ needs with complete electrified powertrain solutions as well as subsystems and components.”
Update 15 March 2021: Following the above electrification offensive, Magna introduced another novel technology called eBeam. It is designed to electrify pickup trucks and light commercial vehicles.
eBeam integrates seamlessly into a battery-electric or hybrid powertrain system and offers a structure-oriented design for vehicles with high payloads and corresponding power for continuous operation, according to the supplier. It can be integrated into existing vehicle architectures without other suspension, chassis or braking systems.
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