GKN's New Two-Speed EAxle Powers BMW I8

November 13, 2014

Patrick Ponticel

GKN took the eAxle from concept to production in 24 months. The unit provides propulsion to the AWD i8's front wheels.

The BMW i8 is the first production application of GKN’s new two-speed eAxle, which is used to drive the front wheels of the plug-in-hybrid sports car. The AWD i8, launched earlier this year, also uses a conventional 6-speed automatic to power the rear axle in what is known as an "axle-split" configuration.

Cutaway of the i8 motor bay shows the two-speed eAxle mated to the left of the electric motor. (Patrick Ponticel)

Giving the electric motor an additional gear ratio improves acceleration and pure electric range, benefiting both driving dynamics and CO₂ emissions, according to GKN. The two gear ratios—claimed to be a production-first for an electrified-vehicle driveline—also enable the motor and all its associated systems to be downsized, reducing mass and further increasing efficiency. The technology responds intelligently to deliver instant all-wheel drive, a useful pure electric range, or a parallel-hybrid mode.

Until now electric and axle-split hybrid vehicles have used single-speed transmissions, which limit electric drives in terms of either acceleration or top speed because they must disconnect at certain speeds to prevent motor overspinning. GKN claims its two-speed eAxle is the first to enable the electric drive to boost the vehicle's performance across its entire speed range.

Designing a two-speed unit for BMW's high-performance hybrid sports car application posed a packaging challenge for GKN engineers. To achieve high torque density in a package that weighs just 27 kg (60 lb) and measures less than 325 x 562 x 313 mm (12.8 x 22.1 x 12.3 in), some interesting design decisions were made.

For example, to make the system narrower, the shift mechanism sits on the input shaft instead of the intermediate shaft in the middle of the transmission. Even with the input shaft spinning at up to 11,400 rpm, GKN's software control of the eMotor and the synchro-actuation achieves a smooth gear shift in all conditions.

"Gear shifts are completely transparent to the driver," noted Theodor Gassmann, GKN Driveline Vice President, Product Technology, eDrive Systems. "The smooth electromechanically actuated shift between the synchronized ratios has enabled our eAxle to set new benchmarks for comfort and NVH. The eAxle combines superior efficiency of 97% with high gear shift comfort and low gear noise."

The eAxle's shift mechanism is a proven technology with components already in series production, providing BMW's powertrain team a robust and cost-effective solution.

By drawing on all the expertise and knowledge within GKN's global engineering network, the development team was able to take the eAxle from concept to production in 24 months, Gassmann claimed. He said going forward, the industry trend of pairing electrified powertrains with multi-speed transmissions is enabling GKN to supply downsized eAxle modules for future hybrid and electric vehicles.

"The technology also enables more radical future eMotor downsizing strategies," he added.