BMW Garage BMW Meets Register Search Today's Posts Mark Forums Read
BIMMERPOST Universal Forums General BMW News and Cars Discussion BMW's to get new torque vectoring rear-axle (moving away from open rear differential)

Post Reply
 
Thread Tools Search this Thread
      12-06-2007, 04:40 PM   #1
Jason
Administrator
Jason's Avatar
United_States
40317
Rep
21,232
Posts

Drives: F80 M3
Join Date: Mar 2005
Location: USA

iTrader: (0)

BMW's to get new torque vectoring rear-axle (moving away from open rear differential)

For quite awhile, BMW has been disappointing many consumers by only offering limited slip differentials on their M-badged models. Competitors such as Lexus and Infiniti have at least offered LSD options on their vehicles, but BMW's argument is that their traction control system is sophisticated enough to fight wheel slippage rendering the extra cost for an LSD unnecessary. But it looks like that long-standing policy at the German automaker will change in the very near future.

The latest news out of GKN Driveline and ZF Friedrichshafen AG is that they have joined forces to produce a torque vectoring system that will be implemented by BMW. The system utilizes two electronic torque managing units that are essentially clutch type differentials, with the plate pressure controlled by voltage supplied to two electric motors. It will be able to independently adjust the torque split between two wheels, without the need for wheel slippage to occur initially. The technology is being dubbed VectorDrive and it's configurable for AWD and RWD vehicles. It's about time BMW joined the bandwagon in moving away from the open rear differential.


Press release:

Quote:
PRESS RELEASE:

GKN Driveline and ZF Torque Vectoring cooperation CTI Symposium, Berlin

Berlin, Germany 4th December 2007

GKN Driveline and ZF announce an extended cooperation in the field of torque vectoring systems. The cooperation agreement covers the joint development, manufacturing and marketing of torque vectoring systems in rear axles for rear and all wheel driven vehicles.

Key technical content of this collaboration is the integration of mechanical and electrical components and the development of the corresponding software.

Mechanically this agreement includes two torque vectoring units flanged to the final drive, and two electric motors which drive the brakes to operate the torque vectoring units. The motors are controlled by a central ECU. The software, which communicates with the vehicle controller, ensures that the vectoring torque requirements dependant on the driving condition of the vehicle are realised by the system.

The first production application is planned for BMW, already announced as being ZF's VectorDrive. The Torque Vectoring hardware units produced by GKN Driveline will be supplied to system leader ZF, who is responsible for the final assembly of the system and the supply of the electric motors, the control ECU and programming, and the delivery of the EOL-tested units to the customer.

"The joint development is a significant step forward that allows us to bring the specific competences and know-how of our two companies together, develop cutting edge, high performance driveline technology and make it available to our customers as broadly and competitively as we can," said Graeme Walford, Managing Director of GKN Driveline Torque Technology.

Commenting on the announcement, Robert Paton, Managing Director for ZF's Axle Drive Division said: "We have an attractive 'modular' system concept that is ready for application and specific development with the OEMs. BMW will be the first, but we have already begun talking to other customers and are excited by the prospects for this cooperation technology. "
Appreciate 0
      12-06-2007, 06:47 PM   #2
Biz
Private First Class
Biz's Avatar
10
Rep
192
Posts

Drives: '99.5 Pathfinder
Join Date: Sep 2007
Location: Bay Area

iTrader: (0)

Apparently there is no engineering challenge that BMW can't solve by throwing a bunch of electronics at, along with the associated teething issues and costly repairs down the road.

How much could a decent mechanical LSD cost BMW at their production volumes? Or are they really expecting to see a great leap in performance by going this direction?
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2007, 05:33 AM   #3
footie
Major General
footie's Avatar
No_Country
1072
Rep
8,008
Posts

Drives: i4M50
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: No where fast

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
This technology is also the start with 2008 model Audis with Quattro. I believe it's a join thing between BMW and VAG in association with GKN Driveline and ZF Friedrichshafen AG.

Does anyone know when BMW are to start using the technology in their cars?
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2007, 06:54 AM   #4
southlight
Moderator / European Editor
southlight's Avatar
1492
Rep
6,755
Posts

Drives: X3M
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Germany

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by footie View Post
Does anyone know when BMW are to start using the technology in their cars?
First car with DPC will be the X6.


Best regards, south
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2007, 07:09 AM   #5
footie
Major General
footie's Avatar
No_Country
1072
Rep
8,008
Posts

Drives: i4M50
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: No where fast

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by southlight View Post
First car with DPC will be the X6.


Best regards, south

That explains a lot as the reports coming out concerning the technology in the Audis is that it's brilliant in combination with Quattro and as X-Drive is also awd this should mean the X6 will also be brilliant. But why only the X6 first, I would have thought the X5 and X3 deserve it too.
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2007, 11:01 AM   #6
southlight
Moderator / European Editor
southlight's Avatar
1492
Rep
6,755
Posts

Drives: X3M
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Germany

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by footie View Post
That explains a lot as the reports coming out concerning the technology in the Audis is that it's brilliant in combination with Quattro and as X-Drive is also awd this should mean the X6 will also be brilliant. But why only the X6 first, I would have thought the X5 and X3 deserve it too.
BMW decided to start with X6 because it's the more "sporty" version of X5. My understanding is that other cars will follow (maybe even RWD cars). So next gen X3 might get it also.


Best regards, south
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2007, 12:37 PM   #7
footie
Major General
footie's Avatar
No_Country
1072
Rep
8,008
Posts

Drives: i4M50
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: No where fast

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by southlight View Post
BMW decided to start with X6 because it's the more "sporty" version of X5. My understanding is that other cars will follow (maybe even RWD cars). So next gen X3 might get it also.


Best regards, south
It is interesting to see that two great rivals are working together for the same goal of producing the finest handling cars available.

And better still they are both my two favorite brands.
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2007, 01:53 PM   #8
southlight
Moderator / European Editor
southlight's Avatar
1492
Rep
6,755
Posts

Drives: X3M
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Germany

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by footie View Post
It is interesting to see that two great rivals are working together for the same goal of producing the finest handling cars available.

And better still they are both my two favorite brands.
They're not really working together. Both "develop" similar systems, BMW's DPC comes from ZF, Audi's Sport diff is from Magna Powertrain.


Best regards, south
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2007, 02:36 PM   #9
Year's_End
Lieutenant General
Year's_End's Avatar
United_States
1112
Rep
12,442
Posts

Drives: 2020 Shelby GT350
Join Date: Feb 2007
Location: FL

iTrader: (0)

ZF ftw. Love their transmissions.
__________________
Past: '08 E92 335i|ZPP|ZSP|6AT
Past: '15 Mustang GT|401A|PP|6MT
Current: '20 Shelby GT350|6MT
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2007, 02:40 PM   #10
footie
Major General
footie's Avatar
No_Country
1072
Rep
8,008
Posts

Drives: i4M50
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: No where fast

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by southlight View Post
They're not really working together. Both "develop" similar systems, BMW's DPC comes from ZF, Audi's Sport diff is from Magna Powertrain.


Best regards, south
Well that is so unusual for two German manufacturers to both develop two very similar systems at exactly the same time.

Is it a case of great minds thinking alike or fools that seldom differ.
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2007, 03:10 PM   #11
southlight
Moderator / European Editor
southlight's Avatar
1492
Rep
6,755
Posts

Drives: X3M
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Germany

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by footie View Post
Is it a case of great minds thinking alike or fools that seldom differ.
LOL
Guess that depends on the system's benefits. First previews on DPC were quite good, though.


Best regards, south
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2007, 03:10 PM   #12
Zirenz2006
Brigadier General
Zirenz2006's Avatar
United_States
1532
Rep
4,553
Posts

Drives: G80 M3 Comp IOMG
Join Date: Aug 2006
Location: US - NE

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by southlight View Post
First car with DPC will be the X6.


Best regards, south
I was just reading about that in Roundel while on the toilet, then I come and find this thread. How serendipitous!
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2007, 03:54 PM   #13
southlight
Moderator / European Editor
southlight's Avatar
1492
Rep
6,755
Posts

Drives: X3M
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Germany

iTrader: (0)

Too much information.


Best regards, south
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2007, 05:42 PM   #14
footie
Major General
footie's Avatar
No_Country
1072
Rep
8,008
Posts

Drives: i4M50
Join Date: Oct 2007
Location: No where fast

iTrader: (0)

Garage List
Quote:
Originally Posted by southlight View Post
LOL
Guess that depends on the system's benefits. First previews on DPC were quite good, though.


Best regards, south

Great to hear it, I don't think there has being any previews on Audi's system as of yet. It will be interesting to see if it's as good but with what I understand about the technology I can't expect anything different.
Appreciate 0
      12-08-2007, 06:18 PM   #15
fucema
Private
fucema's Avatar
3
Rep
93
Posts

Drives: 08 335xi Cpe
Join Date: Nov 2007
Location: NoVA

iTrader: (0)

Quote:
Originally Posted by Zirenz2006 View Post
I was just reading about that in Roundel while on the toilet, then I come and find this thread. How serendipitous!
Whoa, I was just on the toilet too!
Appreciate 0
Post Reply

Bookmarks

Thread Tools Search this Thread
Search this Thread:

Advanced Search

Posting Rules
You may not post new threads
You may not post replies
You may not post attachments
You may not edit your posts

BB code is On
Smilies are On
[IMG] code is On
HTML code is Off



All times are GMT -5. The time now is 02:01 AM.




5post
Powered by vBulletin® Version 3.8.11
Copyright ©2000 - 2024, vBulletin Solutions Inc.
1Addicts.com, BIMMERPOST.com, E90Post.com, F30Post.com, M3Post.com, ZPost.com, 5Post.com, 6Post.com, 7Post.com, XBimmers.com logo and trademark are properties of BIMMERPOST