PHOTO
- Continental’s industry-first, liquid-cooled 48-volt Eco Drive is now available on the iconic Jeep® Wrangler
- Marks the technology’s first application in the sport utility vehicle (SUV) segment and with an American vehicle manufacturer
Continental, the leading German tire and automotive technology company, is partnering with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to develop an eTorque mild-hybrid technology that will be applied on the all-new Jeep® Wrangler. Continental’s industry-first, liquid-cooled 48-volt Eco Drive supports the eTorque system, contributing to the SUV’s legendary performance, while simultaneously improving fuel efficiency.
Continental’s 48-volt Eco Drive is based on a modular concept that has been previously adjusted to meet the power and performance demands of multiple vehicle classes, as done with the compact Renault Scénic diesel, Audi A8 performance sedan, and now the high-volume Jeep Wrangler SUV. Additionally, consumers in the Middle East will experience the all-new eTorque technology in the 2019 Ram 1500, a 2019 Wards 10 Best Engines winner for its 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 engine, when it arrives in the region later this year.
The hybrid vehicle market is projected to grow globally to 7,593,000 units by 2025. Although passenger cars are estimated to make up the largest part of the hybrid vehicle market, commercial vehicles are estimated to be the fastest-growing segment. The developments, in terms of reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency, are also being felt in the commercial vehicle segment.
Andreas Wolf, CEO of Continental Powertrain said: “Electrification is a key component of future mobility. Combustion engine and electrification are complementary partners and this combination will result in more efficiency with lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Thanks to the electric 48-volt engine, the driving joy won’t be compromised.”
“The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic vehicle in the automotive industry and is known for its all-terrain driving capability. Once again, it is blazing a new trail with its eTorque system, powered by Continental’s 48-volt Eco Drive”, added Kregg Wiggins, Senior Vice President of Continental Powertrain, North America.
Continental’s compact 48-volt Eco Drive with integrated power electronics contributes to the benefits that the eTorque technology has to offer, including improved fuel economy, enhanced auto-start response, overall start-stop functionality and reduced noise levels.
Eco Drive provides up to 88.5 lb-ft (120 Nm) of torque delivered to the crank via the engine’s front-end accessory drive. This enables auto-starts in less than 0.5 sec.
The 31.5-lb (14.3-kg) engine version on the Jeep® Wrangler also helps maximise regenerative braking and offers an impressive 4.1 kW/L in power density.
Furthermore, the technology helps deliver torque to the wheels more than twice as fast as a conventional 12-volt starter can accommodate. The liquid-cooled 48-volt Eco Drive also spins the engine faster, making eTorque’s benefits more readily apparent.
The liquid cooling of the Continental system’s Eco Drive and inverter results in uncompromised power – capable of delivering high performance at high ambient temperature.
-Ends-
Continental corporation
Continental develops pioneering technologies and services for sustainable and connected mobility of people and their goods. Founded in 1871, the technology company offers safe, efficient, intelligent and affordable solutions for vehicles, machines, traffic and transportation. In 2017, Continental generated sales of around €44.4 billion and currently employs more than 243,000 people in 60 countries.
Press contact
Lana Al Ghafir
Account Executive
Performance Communications
M: +971 52 8275898
E: Lana@performancecomms.com
Disclaimer: The contents of this press release was provided from an external third party provider. This website is not responsible for, and does not control, such external content. This content is provided on an “as is” and “as available” basis and has not been edited in any way. Neither this website nor our affiliates guarantee the accuracy of or endorse the views or opinions expressed in this press release.
The press release is provided for informational purposes only. The content does not provide tax, legal or investment advice or opinion regarding the suitability, value or profitability of any particular security, portfolio or investment strategy. Neither this website nor our affiliates shall be liable for any errors or inaccuracies in the content, or for any actions taken by you in reliance thereon. You expressly agree that your use of the information within this article is at your sole risk.
To the fullest extent permitted by applicable law, this website, its parent company, its subsidiaries, its affiliates and the respective shareholders, directors, officers, employees, agents, advertisers, content providers and licensors will not be liable (jointly or severally) to you for any direct, indirect, consequential, special, incidental, punitive or exemplary damages, including without limitation, lost profits, lost savings and lost revenues, whether in negligence, tort, contract or any other theory of liability, even if the parties have been advised of the possibility or could have foreseen any such damages.
