The brand new GKN Multi-Mode eTransmission makes its debut on the Mitsubishi Outlander PHEV – the world’s first Twin Motor 4WD Plug-in Hybrid Electric Vehicle with ability to charge on-the-go – being showcased at the Frankfurt Motor Show this week.
Mitsubishi Motors’ new Twin Motor 4WD Plug-in Hybrid Electric crossover is powered by two 60kW electric motors, one in the front and the other one in the rear. They are fed by a large capacity lithium-ion battery. A petrol engine and a generator are also fitted.
The GKN Multi-Mode eTransmission used as front transaxle offers optimum performance in three different driving modes with two different power sources:
– Pure EV mode, with the vehicle’s front axle and rear axle driven only by the electric motors, the front motor being attached to the GKN Multi-Mode eTransmission. Energy is sourced from the battery.
– Series Hybrid mode, with the combustion engine driving a generator to charge the traction battery on-the-go whilst the car is still only driven by its front and rear electric motors;
– Parallel Hybrid mode, with the combustion engine’s torque feeding through to the GKN Multi-Mode eTransmission to the front wheels via a hydraulic clutch which remains disengaged in both other modes. Front and rear motors then supplement the petrol engine. Battery charging still occurs too.
The GKN Multi-Mode eTransmission’s lightweight, compact design honed for high efficiency adds to the car’s extraordinary low CO2 tailpipe emission of 44g/km.
