Magna Powertrain Building options for EV's Around the World

G. David Felt - Staff Writer Alternative Energy - www.cheersandgears.com

Magna Powertrain Building options for EV's Around the World

Magna has started off by showing Tesla they can build a superior power train and why 3 motors is better than 2 in that you gain torque vectoring that allows less HP and Torque to accelerate a car even faster.

So just how does a Magna powertrain Model S hit 0 to 60 faster than 2.3 seconds in the Model S P100D? Torque Vectoring. Just so people can understand, the P100D Tesla S is a 762 HP monster. Magna yanked the power train and replaced the dual motor powertrain with their triple motor power train. This is three motors each rated at 188 HP for a total of 564 HP. Two motors are in the rear, one on each wheel and the third is in the front. 

Magna is clear in their press releases that they are not interested in the dragslip but in giving the safest most controlled drive system for the auto industry. As such, we will see this come out in the upcoming Volvo and Audi EV's. Both have signed on to use the Magna Powertrain "Highly Integrated eDrive System". This package integrates the inverter, gearbox and the 140 kW motor into a single package.

Why should one care about Torque Vectoring? Controlled turns and movement at speed. That is right, with Torque Vectoring (T.V.), one is able to maintain speed without slowing down by overdriving the outside wheel. This T.V. allows the car to align itself turning strongly than just normal steering would allow defying inertial forces that would drag normal auto's off the road. Faster, Stronger and superior to any ICE setup according to the company. This powertrain is being matched up with a 140 kWh battery pack which depending on the style of auto it is put into will give anywhere from 300 to 400+ miles range.

Competitors to this is Bosch who is also building a EV Powertrain solution that covers from 1 to 4 motors depending on the performance once wants which will compete with Magna's 1 to 4 motors powertrain solution.

Since Magna has signed with both Volvo and Audi as their EV powertrain supplier, you can see that especially for Audi, we are probably seeing their new Quattro Ultra All-Wheel Drive System. Interesting note is that Magna has signed with FCA to supply the new EV powertrain for the Alfa product line.

Magna Powertrain