Mitsubishi shows Outlander PHEV’s eTransmission

The GKN Multi-Mode eTransmission found within the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV powertrain is being showcased at the Frankfurt Motor show this week.

To be precise, it is being exposed as GKN revealed a cutout of this eTransmission.

Mitsubishi calls its Outlander PHEV the world’s first Twin Motor 4WD Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle with ability to charge on-the-go.

Mitsubishi Motors’ new Twin Motor 4WD Plug-in Hybrid Electric crossover is powered by two 60 kilowatt electric motors, one in the front and the other one in the rear.  They are fed by a large capacity lithium-ion battery while a gasoline engine and a generator are also part of the powertrain.

 

The GKN Multi-Mode eTransmission used as the front transaxle helps transfer this power in forward motion; GKN said this eTransmission helps optimum performance in three different driving modes with two different power sources:

• Pure EV mode, with the vehicle’s front axle and rear axle driven only by the electric motors, the front motor being attached to the GKN Multi-Mode eTransmission. Energy is sourced from the battery.
• Series Hybrid mode, with the combustion engine driving a generator to charge the traction battery on-the-go whilst the car is still only driven by its front and rear electric motors;
• Parallel Hybrid mode, with the combustion engine’s torque feeding through to the GKN Multi-Mode eTransmission to the front wheels via a hydraulic clutch which remains disengaged in both other modes. Front and rear motors then supplement the gasolime engine. Battery charging still occurs too.

GKN declared in Frankfurt the Multi-Mode eTransmission’s lightweight, compact design honed for high efficiency adds to the car’s extraordinary low CO2 tailpipe emission of 44 grams/kilometer.

“In their quest to find appealing packages for low carbon mobility, the vehicle manufacturers are exploring all possible avenues,” said GKN Driveline’s global engineering director Rob Rickell. “With the new Outlander PHEV, Mitsubishi Motors has broken new ground and we are excited to have played a key role helping make this innovation a reality.”

Source: GM-Volt.com