AAM Offers Fuel-Efficient All Wheel Drive, Axles

Detroit-based American Axle & Manufacturing Holdings Inc. (NYSE: AXL) Tuesday announced a new EcoTrac brand of fuel-efficient and environment-friendly driveline products.

The EcoTrac brand includes an all-wheel-drive fuel economy optimization system, e-AWD systems and a full range of high-efficiency axles.

AAM's EcoTrac all-wheel-drive system enables a vehicle manufacturer to offer a passenger car or crossover vehicle with an all-wheel-drive option that minimizes the impact to fuel economy and reduces emissions when compared to a front-wheel-drive vehicle.

The EcoTrac system allows the AWD vehicle to use its primary drive system, the front wheels, when AWD is not required. Vehicles equipped with this advanced fuel economy optimization system can automatically transition to AWD, seamlessly and without disturbance to the driver, when the vehicle senses that AWD may be necessary.

Using an AAM-designed electronic controlled coupling in the rear drive module, the system is activated and gently brings the driveline to a proper speed, delivering the necessary torque and vehicle stability performance. When conditions allow, the vehicle reverts back to an economical mode, conserving fuel and reducing emissions. The proprietary AAM electronic control software and hardware eliminates driveline mechanical losses which aid in maximizing fuel efficiency while providing enhanced vehicle control and fully variable AWD performance.

AAM's newest Joint Venture e-AAM Driveline Systems AB will launch electric all-wheel-drive systems that are designed to improve fuel efficiency up to 30 percent, reduce CO2 emissions and provide all-wheel-drive capability with the further benefit of torque vectoring for vehicle stability when compared to traditional mechanical AWD mechanical systems. This e-AWD system is ideal for a range of passenger car and crossover vehicle configurations including conventional internal combustion engines, battery-powered hybrid platforms, plug-in platforms, or full electric drive systems.  

Also, AAM's EcoTrac high-efficiency axle systems optimize product design and lubrication efficiency while also reducing friction. Efficiency features being implemented in the product lineup include new PowerDense hypoid designs, gear finishes, high-efficiency bearings and proprietary lubricants.

A key feature of these high-efficiency axles is PowerFilm, a proprietary lubricant that provides reduced friction under high torques while also reducing energy losses within the axle. The combination of this technology within AAM's EcoTrac high-efficiency axles can reduce axle-related energy losses by up to 50 percent for OEM vehicles.

AAM's product technology supporting the EcoTrac brand will be on display during the sixth International Suppliers Fair, Europe's leading trade fair for the automotive industry, held in Wolfsburg, Germany Oct. 6-8.

More at www.aam.com.

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