News Article

GKN Driveline Torque Vectoring World-First For New BMW X6

July 3rd, 2008, Redditch, UK
GKN Driveline's high performance Torque Vectoring technology has made its world debut on the new BMW X6 ‘sports activity coupe’.

GKN's new technology is at the heart of BMW’s Dynamic Performance Control (DPC) system, which is being pioneered on the new, highly acclaimed, 4x4 vehicle. The company also supplies the latest front and rear side shafts for the X6.

GKN Driveline has jointly developed Torque Vectoring technology with ZF. In this first production application for BMW, GKN's Torque Vectoring hardware units are supplied to system leader ZF, responsible for the final assembly and supply of the Vectordrive rear axle system.

The BMW X6’s dynamic performance and stability control systems, of which GKN Driveline’s Torque Vectoring products are active components, overcome the tendency of 4x4s to understeer when cornering under power at speed. BMW engineers developed integrated chassis management control software to manage all the disparate systems to produce an overall package that redefines the dynamic performance, safety and all-terrain ability of powerful SUVs such as the X6.

Graeme Walford, managing director of GKN Driveline Torque Technology said, "The challenge for premium car manufacturers is to provide greater sophistication in driving dynamics whilst at the same time minimising weight and cost. With our latest driveline technologies in torque vectoring and sideshafts GKN has been able to help BMW achieve a remarkable first with the X6".

GKN Driveline's Torque Vectoring hardware units are based on a modular, cost effective approach, designed to be easily adaptable to a range of vehicles. Two units per axle provide the requested vectoring torque by a superimposition planetary gear set electronically controlled at the ZF system level by an electric motor actuated clutch. GKN Driveline's actuator hardware consists of a wet clutch and a two-stage ball ramp mechanism to achieve the accuracy within the required response time. The gears of the planetary gear set are only active when needed to realise best fuel efficiency. The wet clutch is designed for high thermal capacity and very low drag torque.

Various unique features including the design of the gears and the ball ramp have been introduced and patented by GKN Driveline.

The new Torque Vectoring technology is specifically targeted at rear axle application on premium RWD and AWD passenger cars and SUVs and further strengthens GKN Driveline's product range in this segment, which includes an electronically controlled limited slip differential (ETM®), electronic locking differential and a range of passive limited slip differentials.

About GKN Driveline

GKN Driveline is the world leader in the design and production of driveline components. Producing systems and components for the smallest ultra low-cost vehicle to the most sophisticated four-wheel-drive model, GKN Driveline has the products to achieve the optimum driveline solution. With these products come technical expertise and an understanding of all aspects that affect vehicle dynamics and how these can be optimised for weight and performance improvement.

Every year, 63 million cars are produced for the world's roads. For every car, in every country, the challenge is always the same: to transmit power from the engine to the wheels in the most efficient, economical and reliable way possible.

GKN Driveline designs, builds, and supplies the most extensive and widely-used range of driveline components in the automotive industry. It covers every application from entry level front-wheel-drive vehicles to the most sophisticated four-wheel-drive vehicles.

As an engineering business with extensive automotive experience and a global resource network, GKN Driveline delivers solutions quickly, economically and efficiently – from drawing through to full-scale production.

The company is a true partner to the world automotive industry. Multi-talented, multilingual global account teams work closely with each and every customer to develop a clear understanding of their requirements – and then deliver optimum solutions accurately engineered to all specifications.

GKN Driveline is a global tier-one supplier of vehicle driveline components and systems with annual sales of £2 billion (€3 billion). The company has 21,000 employees and 40 facilities in 30 countries.

Company Contact:

Paul Dinwiddy
Global Communication Director
GKN Driveline
Tel + 44 1527 533 646
Mob : + 44 7801 077 523
Email: paul.dinwiddy@gkndriveline.com


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