GKN Driveline Helps the 2014 Range Rover Evoque Achieve Greater Agility with Superior Fuel Economy

REDDITCH, England, Sept. 3, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- The new 2014 Range Rover Evoque has a unique "disconnect" all-wheel-drive system developed by GKN Driveline. The system is designed to improve fuel efficiency while providing outstanding off-road performance with dynamic agility and enhanced traction.

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Land Rover's Active Driveline system reacts to the driving environment and driver intention by automatically disconnecting the major rotating driveline components to reduce energy losses. Traction and driving stability are optimized by an Active Torque Biasing feature that offers advanced control on the distribution of torque between the front and rear wheels.

The Active Driveline system demonstrates the benefits of partnering with GKN Driveline on whole driveline supply and integration. The co-development of Land Rover's Active Driveline has achieved a significant reduction in driveline spin loss, which in turn contributes to the 2014 Range Rover Evoque's overall fuel-consumption reduction of up to 11.4 percent (depending on model).

The GKN all-wheel-drive system includes a GKN power transfer unit (PTU), linked to the transmission's final drive differential, containing a synchronizer and brake to disconnect the all-wheel-drive system upstream of the PTU hypoid gears. 

At the rear of the system the GKN TWINSTER^® rear drive module (RDM) drives each rear wheel via an independent wet multi-plate clutch that can disconnect the all-wheel-drive system downstream of the RDM hypoid gears.

The GKN PTU synchronizer and GKN TWINSTER^® are controlled by a dedicated driveline control unit designed to constantly monitor vehicle dynamics, disconnecting during steady-state driving speeds above 22 mph and automatically reconnecting (within 300 milliseconds) when required.

In addition to the disconnect function, the GKN TWINSTER^® also acts as an electronic differential combining drive vectoring and limited-slip differential technology for active torque biasing.

"We are delighted to have worked with Land Rover to develop and supply this advanced GKN all-wheel-drive system incorporating our TWINSTER^® rear-drive module," said Rob Rickell, GKN Driveline's global engineering director. "The step change in vehicle efficiency and dynamic performance sets a new industry benchmark for this type of vehicle."

In addition to the innovative Active Driveline, GKN Driveline also supplies the all-wheel-drive system for the 2014 Range Rover Evoque's Standard Driveline.  Power transfer units and rear-drive modules for both variants are produced at GKN Driveline Koping in Sweden with front sideshafts and propshafts supplied out of GKN Driveline Birmingham, UK.

About GKN Driveline

GKN Driveline is the world's leading supplier of automotive driveline components and systems. As a global company serving the world's leading vehicle manufacturers, GKN Driveline develops, builds and supplies an extensive range of automotive driveline components – for use in the smallest ultra low-cost car to the most sophisticated premium vehicle demanding the most complex driving dynamics.

GKN Driveline is a leading global producer of CVJ Systems, AWD Systems, Trans Axle Solutions and eDrive Systems and operates in 22 countries at 56 locations employing 22,000 people.

www.gkndriveline.com

About the GKN Group

GKN plc is a global engineering business serving mainly the automotive, aerospace and land systems markets. It has operations in more than 32 countries, around 48,000 employees in subsidiaries and joint ventures and had sales of £6.9 billion in the year to 31 December 2012. GKN plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: GKN).
www.gkn.com

SOURCE GKN Driveline