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ZF Unveils Lightweight Rear Suspension, Electric Drive Concepts
ZF Friedrichshafen AG used the Detroit auto show to debut new technologies designed to reducing weight and increasing the efficiency of electric drivetrains.
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ZF Friedrichshafen AG used the Detroit auto show to debut new technologies designed to reducing weight and increasing the efficiency of electric drivetrains.
One prototype system incorporates two electric motors into a twist-beam, trailing-arm rear suspension. The configuration minimizes the effect of unsprung weight, and the individual motors allow independent control of the torque at each wheel.
ZF says the concept offers attractive packaging efficiency as the rear axle assembly for small cars.
A second concept rear suspension system consists of a single composite transverse leaf spring, two MacPherson struts but no coil springs. The company says the novel architecture is lightweight and offers multilink control over rear-wheel alignment.
Separately, ZF tells reporters it has no intent to return to belt-drive continuously variable transmissions after abandoning plans to produce them in the U.S.
The company says it can achieve greater efficiency with geared transmission, such as the 9-speed automatic it licenses to Chrysler Group LLC for the new Jeep Cherokee SUV. ZF has said that gearbox is 97% efficient.
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