GKN Driveline honored with two Automotive News PACE awards

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GKN Driveline

Apr 12, 2016, 09:10 ET

DETROIT, April 12, 2016 /PRNewswire/ -- GKN Driveline has been honored with an Automotive News PACE Innovation Award for its VL3 constant velocity (CV) joint sideshaft system, which has debuted on BMW's flagship 7 Series.

The Automotive News PACE Award, bestowed for more than 20 years, is acknowledged around the world as the industry benchmark for automotive supplier innovation.

Cut-away view of GKN Driveline's VL3 constant velocity joint. GKN Driveline has been honored with an Automotive News PACE Innovation Award for its VL3 constant velocity (CV) joint sideshaft system, which has debuted on BMW's flagship 7 Series. GKN's new VL3 sideshaft system increases torque capacity by up to 27 percent with no increase in packaging size. Available in four sizes, automakers alternatively have the choice of maintaining torque capacity but reducing package size by approximately 10 percent.
Cut-away view of GKN Driveline's VL3 constant velocity joint. GKN Driveline has been honored with an Automotive News PACE Innovation Award for its VL3 constant velocity (CV) joint sideshaft system, which has debuted on BMW's flagship 7 Series. GKN's new VL3 sideshaft system increases torque capacity by up to 27 percent with no increase in packaging size. Available in four sizes, automakers alternatively have the choice of maintaining torque capacity but reducing package size by approximately 10 percent.
GKN Driveline has been honored with an Automotive News PACE Innovation Award for its VL3 constant velocity (CV) joint sideshaft system, which has debuted on BMW's flagship 7 Series. GKN's new VL3 sideshaft system increases torque capacity by up to 27 percent with no increase in packaging size. Available in four sizes, automakers alternatively have the choice of maintaining torque capacity but reducing package size by approximately 10 percent.
GKN Driveline has been honored with an Automotive News PACE Innovation Award for its VL3 constant velocity (CV) joint sideshaft system, which has debuted on BMW's flagship 7 Series. GKN's new VL3 sideshaft system increases torque capacity by up to 27 percent with no increase in packaging size. Available in four sizes, automakers alternatively have the choice of maintaining torque capacity but reducing package size by approximately 10 percent.
Cut-away view of GKN Driveline's VL3 constant velocity joint. GKN Driveline has been honored with an Automotive News PACE Innovation Award for its VL3 constant velocity (CV) joint sideshaft system, which has debuted on BMW's flagship 7 Series. GKN's new VL3 sideshaft system increases torque capacity by up to 27 percent with no increase in packaging size. Available in four sizes, automakers alternatively have the choice of maintaining torque capacity but reducing package size by approximately 10 percent. GKN Driveline has been honored with an Automotive News PACE Innovation Award for its VL3 constant velocity (CV) joint sideshaft system, which has debuted on BMW's flagship 7 Series. GKN's new VL3 sideshaft system increases torque capacity by up to 27 percent with no increase in packaging size. Available in four sizes, automakers alternatively have the choice of maintaining torque capacity but reducing package size by approximately 10 percent.

Meanwhile, GKN was also recognized with an Automotive News PACE Innovation Partnership Award for its work with Ford on the Ford Focus RS program. The Innovation Partnership Award showcases outstanding levels of collaboration between automakers and suppliers, highlighting the importance of strong relationships to commercialize key automotive innovations. 

GKN's new VL3 sideshaft system increases torque capacity by up to 27 percent with no increase in packaging size. Available in four sizes, automakers alternatively have the choice of maintaining torque capacity but reducing package size by approximately 10 percent. With a plunging distance of 18mm, the VL3 is the best choice for a rear constant velocity sideshaft for medium working angles with low axial forces and best in class minimum backlash.

GKN Driveline Chief Executive Phil Swash picked up the awards at the Automotive News PACE Awards in Detroit yesterday evening.

He said: "GKN already established the benchmark for rear CV Joints with our predecessor technology, but the VL3 sets the new level. We have developed a CV Joint that is lighter, more efficient, stronger and delivers more torque in a smaller package. People have a misconception that there is no room for innovation in technology such as the CV Joint; we're delighted that PACE has recognized that there is and that GKN is leading the way."

In terms of the Partnership Award, GKN developed a new version of its Twinster torque vectoring all-wheel drive (AWD) system for the Ford Focus RS. An innovative combination of new gearing ratios and control algorithms over-speed the rear wheels, helping Ford to create a car with unprecedented dynamics, feel and handling.

Phil Swash added: "The Ford Focus RS has set a new benchmark in its segment, redefining the way a vehicle performs and handles. GKN's Twinster all-wheel drive system is integral to its performance and to deliver such a ground breaking vehicle required close cooperation between GKN and Ford engineers, utilizing both teams' strengths to optimise the system."

Peter Moelgg, GKN Automotive President of Engineering, said: "We are honored to have received two PACE Awards, recognizing our technology and how we work closely with our customers to successfully integrate systems and driveline technology. It takes a tremendous amount of work to bring leading-edge technology to the market, and these awards are a reflection on the efforts of our teams and OEM customers." 

GKN's Twinster technology on the Ford Focus RS was also nominated as a finalist for a PACE Innovation award.

ABOUT GKN

GKN plc is a global engineering group. It has four divisions; GKN Aerospace, GKN Driveline, GKN Powder Metallurgy and GKN Land Systems, which operate in the aerospace, automotive and land systems markets. Over 55,000 people work in GKN companies and joint ventures in more than 30 countries. GKN is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: GKN) and recorded sales of GBP7.7 billion in the year ending December 31, 2015.

ABOUT GKN DRIVELINE

GKN Driveline is the world's leading supplier of automotive driveline technology 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 technologies – 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 23 countries at 46 locations employing approximately 25,500 people.

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160412/354198

Photo - http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20160412/354199

SOURCE GKN Driveline

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