McLaren Applied Technologies is pleased to announce a collaboration with Integral Powertrain and Hewland Engineering on a new innovative e-axle system engineered and designed to accelerate the automotive industry’s drive towards electrification.

The e-axle, named the Combined Traction Unit, or CTU-400 sits on a vehicle axle and provides all the propulsion power for the vehicle, taking energy from the hybrid or electric vehicle battery pack.

The CTU-400, is a 400kW e-axle that features integrated highly efficient inverter technology from McLaren Applied Technologies, two 200kW permanent magnet motors from Integral e-Drive and two reduction gear sets for torque vectoring from Hewland Engineering.

Incredibly compact and light weight, the CTU-400 also provides an advantage in its simplicity to vehicle manufacturers by only needing a single high voltage DC connection from the battery and a single communication connection to the rest of the vehicle, providing an unparalleled overall power density of 4.4kW/kg. Bespoke variants can be provided to suit customer performance and package requirements.

The CTU-400 e-Axle system will make its first public appearance at the 2018 Cenex Low Carbon Vehicle event being held at the world-renowned Millbrook proving ground from September 12-13.

Tim Strafford, Automotive Director, McLaren Applied Technologies, said:

"The CTU-400 represents what can be achieved when three leaders in their fields come together to prove what is possible. Designed for the automotive market, McLaren Applied Technologies is proud to be developing the inverter technology to ensure that the CTU provides a simple, compact and efficient solution, but with class leading performance."

Simon Mead, Development Manager, Integral Powertrain, said:

"Integral Powertrain have always pushed the boundaries of e-drive technology working with clients around the world to find the best solution to meet their requirements. There is no doubt that the future of automotive industry is in electric powertrains. This collaboration, utilising the expertise of all 3 companies, has produced an impressive technical solution that is cutting edge in terms of technology, can be made competitively in small and high volume and is scalable in design."

Steve Robins, CEO, Hewland Engineering, said:

"Hewland have over a decade of experience in high performance electric drives. The CTU uses the latest design and materials technology to optimise efficiency and weight. This combined with our high-volume manufacturing capability within Hero Hewland makes the technology competitive in low and high-volume performance applications."

The CTU-400 can be viewed at Cenex on either of two stands; McLaren Applied Technologies on stand C3-106 or Integral e-Drive on C3-502.

The CTU-400 features integrated highly efficient inverter technology from McLaren