The company Schaeffler will be revealing a new plug-in hybrid concept based on a “continuously variable transmission” at the upcoming VDI Transmission Conference in Friedrichshafen, according to a new press release from Schaeffler.
While the combination of a hybrid drive and a continuously variable transmission (CVT) isn’t anything particularly new, the company has stated that its take on the idea will allow for very high efficiency and notably reduced fuel consumption.
The trick of the new design from Schaeffler is reportedly the parallel arrangement of the variator with the direct gear stage for the electric drive.
The President of the Hybrid Drives business unit at Schaeffler, Andreas Englisch, commented: “Our concept is particularly compact and, due to its low energy losses, means that a long electric driving range can be achieved.”
The press release provides some specifics on that, noting that the electric motor “used in the plug-in hybrid concept provides 80 kW of power, while the turbocharged 1.4-liter internal combustion engine provides a further 110 kW. When installed in this C-segment vehicle, Schaeffler’s plug-in hybrid concept makes it possible to accelerate from 0 to 100 km/h in just 7.8 seconds. And in all-electric mode, it can cover 56 kilometers when combined with an 8.7 kWh battery, while the continuously variable transmission ensures excellent ride comfort. In hybrid mode (combined operation of the internal combustion engine and electric motor), compact vehicles achieve an NEDC consumption of 1.6 l per 100 km –the equivalent of just 39 grams of CO2 per kilometer.”
The Vice President of Research and Development for Transmission Systems at Schaeffler, Dr Hartmut Faust, commented: “It is of immense importance that these segments be catered to if the topic of hybrid vehicles is to gain universal acceptance. Legal regulations governing CO2 emissions are becoming increasingly stringent worldwide, and this means that consumers need to change their way of thinking and accept new solutions.”