GKN to Buy Williams' Motorsports-Proven Flywheel Technology

April 1, 2014

Patrick Ponticel

This flywheel unit from Williams was used in the Porsche 997 GT3 R Hybrid endurance racecar.

The flywheel energy-storage technology that was used in, among other things, the Le Mans-winning Audi R18 e-tron quattro is being sold by Williams to GKN Land Systems for use mainly in mass-transit vehicles. Williams initially developed the technology for its 2009 Formula One car but has since switched focus to the automotive and mass-transit sectors including buses and trams. Williams claims the technology can improve fuel economy and reduce emissions by about 30% by capturing some of the energy otherwise lost as heat in braking. The deal involved two units of the Williams group. Mike O'Driscoll, group CEO, said: "The Williams Hybrid Power business has been developed very successfully over the last few years, and is now at the point of broader market commercialization." GKN Land Systems designs, manufactures, and supplies products and services for the agritechnical, construction, mining and utility vehicle markets.