Remy International, LLC, has entered into an agreement with MotoCzysz LLC to bring a new electric drive system to market

Remy International, Inc. subsidiary Remy Electric Motors, LLC, has entered into an agreement with MotoCzysz LLC to bring a new electric drive system to market. The drive system leverages Remy’s patented High Voltage Hairpin (HVH) electric motor technology (earlier post) and patent-pending cooling and integration technology from MotoCzysz (earlier post).

The first D1g1tal Dr1ve utilizing a liquid-cooled Remy internal permanent magnet (IPM) motor will create class-leading torque of 250 lb-ft (339 N·m) and 100 kW (135 hp) of power at 93% efficiency, measured at the rotor. Future models will extend the D1g1tal Dr1ve range to include an even more powerful drive as well as a smaller, more compact option. Remy and MotoCzysz will make the game-changing D1g1tal Dr1ve unit available in the second quarter of 2011.

MotoCzysz, an internationally recognized design and engineering firm and a leading innovator in the American motorcycle industry, now focuses primarily on electric drive systems and electric vehicles.

I believe electric drives are the purest and best solution to propel the majority of automobiles around the world. The D1g1tal Dr1ve was designed specifically with that vision in mind. Our partnership with Remy Electric Motors will allow us to deliver a modern, simpler, evolved replacement for the 100 year-old gas engine. Remy is a powerhouse in electric motor design and manufacturing and our first choice for a partner in this emerging sector. Our mutual goal is for the D1g1tal Dr1ve to deliver the highest performance, greatest efficiency and most integrated packaging solution available for companies needing electric drive solutions.

—Michael Czysz, Founder and CEO of MotoCzysz

Remy, a leading global manufacturer, remanufacturer and distributor of light duty starters and alternators and Delco Remy brand heavy-duty systems, also manufactures electric motors for hybrid and electric vehicles.

MotoCzysz proved their ability to optimize a Remy motor with their astounding test results and win in the TT Zero electric motorcycle race on the Isle of Man this year. Integrating that same groundbreaking engineering with the patented Remy HVH motor is a win for our electric automotive and light duty commercial customers. Remy and MotoCzysz have the experience and technology to make this remarkable propulsion system the new industry standard for electric automobiles.

—John Weber, Remy CEO

The new D1g1tal Dr1ve system was originally designed to fit a motorcycle frame. Applied to automobiles, this weight and size advantage, coupled with high performance, will provide OEMs, integrators and converters with leading efficiencies, the partners said. In typical electric vehicles, various components from a variety of vendors are assembled and then connected together via wires. The D1g1tal Dr1ve system optimizes and matches all high-voltage components in a single housing.

The highly integrated system is packaged as a super axle located between the two drive wheels. Additionally the D1g1tal Dr1ve’s nearly wireless solution provides additional overall safety for the vehicle.

Source: Green Car Congress