The development of future passenger car powertrains is characterised by the goal of CO2-neutral mobility. In addition to the on-going development of high efficient conventional powertrains and useage of alternative fuels, Volkswagen also regards the electrification of the powertrain as playing an important role in the overall strategy. Current development is focused on the three main components of electrically driven vehicles: the battery, the power electronics, and the electric motor and gearbox. Through further optimisation in performance, reliability, and costs at component level, another approach to cost reduction involves combining functions and components that were previously separate. In the approach followed by Volkswagen, the power electronics are integrated into the housing of the electric motor in order to benefit from synergy effects between the components and to reduce the number of external enclosures, cables, and cooling interfaces. In conjunction with a new modular and coaxial gearbox concept, it is possible to achieve a highly compact powertrain that can also be used when installation space is restricted, for example on the rear axle. Furthermore, the shown powertrain concept is characterised by its modular expansion capability. In consideration of growing markets and competition right from the start of development, attention was directed towards the requirements of series production and an increase in cost effectiveness. In parallel (plug-in) hybrid vehicles it can be used as a rear-wheel drive in combination with a conventional combustion engine in the front without the need of any changes to the front end package. When moving off, this uses the traction advantages at the rear axle and makes it possible to offer electric four-wheel drive when needed. The electric motor can be decoupled if required when operating with the internal combustion engine on long-distance routes thereby minimising losses. In series (plug-in) hybrid vehicles, for instance in fuel-cell vehicles in which the fuel cell and its ancillary units are accommodated in the front end of the vehicle, it is always necessary to have a very compact drive. These requirements are also optimally met by the current approach of a coaxial axle drive. The concept of a coaxial drive thus opens up the opportunity of application not only in battery-electric vehicles but also in rear-wheel drive hybrid vehicles as well as the main drive in fuel-cell vehicles.


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