GKN Driveline provides power for winner of the electric division at Pikes Peak 2013

DETROIT, July 9, 2013 /PRNewswire/ -- GKN EVO eDrive Systems' eMotor powered Team APEV to victory in the electric division of the recent 91st annual Pikes Peak International Hill Climb.

(Logo: http://photos.prnewswire.com/prnh/20110809/DE49568LOGO)

Despite wet weather conditions Nobuhiro 'Monster' Tajima completed the course in 9.46.530 minutes, setting a new electric-vehicle record in the Monster sport eRunner.  

GKN Driveline partnered with three of the seven racing teams in the electric division of the Pikes Peak International Hill Climb - a long-standing Colorado Springs tradition. Covering a distance of 12.42 miles, the course begins at 9,390 feet and finishes at the 14,110 foot summit.  (The 2013 event took place on Sunday, June 30.)

The 2013 eRunner features GKN EVO axial flux motor technology which offers outstanding power and torque density.  Michael Lamperth, chief technical officer of GKN EVO eDrive Systems, supported the team during week-long preparations in Colorado.

"It has been a privilege to work with the team here and to see our motor technology be part of the success of Tajima in these extremely hard conditions," he said. "The very high power density of our motor technology is instrumental for the development of high performance electric and hybrid powertrains not only for racing but also for wider applications."

Second place went to the Mitsubishi i-MiEV, driven by Hiroshi Masuoka.  The GKN Driveline Multiplate Limited Slip Differential (LSD) fitted in the front and rear axle of the EV-4AWD gave better control on the bends and prevented the vehicle from slipping on the wet track.  

For the second year GKN partnered with last year's winner --Toyota Motorsport GmbH (TMG) -- supplying two eMotors, one to power each rear wheel.  This year the TMG EV P002, driven by Rod Millen, took fourth place in the electric class.

John McLuskie, product & business development director, GKN Driveline, said "We are delighted that GKN technology is heavily featured again in this year's event. GKN Driveline's eDrive solutions are centered on continuous improvement of vehicle efficiency, performance and dynamics, providing optimised solutions for all electric driveline systems."

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.

In 2011 GKN Driveline entered into a partnership with EVO Electric, a UK based pioneer in advanced electric drive solutions. This new venture – GKN EVO eDrive Systems – enables GKN Driveline to manufacture and sell electric motors and integrated eDrive systems, based on EVO's axial flux motor technology, for use in hybrid and all-electric vehicles.

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 35 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