Haldex developing AWD system for Hyundai
The Swedish engineers at Haldex can finally add an Asian automaker to the ever-expanding list of companies using the firm's all-wheel-drive systems. Haldex currently supplies systems to the entire Volkswagen consortium (from Audi to Bugatti), as well as Land Rover and Volvo. Additionally, the Haldex XWD system that's finding its way into Saabs will likely spread across much of the GM range in the future. That same AWD setup is the basis for a system that will be employed on some Hyundai models in the coming years.
Haldex announced the partnership late last week when it received a prototype order from Hyundai, which includes the development and installation of the fourth generation "Limited Slip Coupling" and electronic LSD. The XWD system has the ability to sense a loss of traction and then distribute power to either the front or rear axle and on to an individual wheel.
There's no word on what vehicle will be used as a drivetrain guinea pig during testing, but the smart money is on some form of SUV or large sedan.
[Source: Trading Markets]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
John R 8:39AM (11/26/2007)
"There's no word on what vehicle will be used as a drivetrain guinea pig during testing, but the smart money is on some form of SUV or large sedan."
Boo to that! AWD V6 Sonata FTW!
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Bob-omb 10:55AM (11/26/2007)
Seriously. An AWD sport-tuned Sonata would be MINE.
Stuka 9:16AM (11/26/2007)
Mazda doesnt count as a japanese auto maker? The Mazda6, CX7, and CX9 use a Haldex system.
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RedLineGXP 9:49AM (11/26/2007)
I am proud to see Hyundai continue to travel in the right direction. I can't wait to see and drive their future products.
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Leaf 9:58AM (11/26/2007)
I thought Toyota and Mazda use Haldex AWD.
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robert helfrick 10:38AM (11/26/2007)
How about Ford?
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Duncan 11:10AM (11/26/2007)
"The XWD system has the ability to sense a loss of traction and then distribute power to either the front or rear axle and on to an individual wheel."
The Haldex system is pretty cool, but it bothers me that their marketing team insists on selling the system with misleading claims.
The XWD system, like previous Haldex systems, attaches a power take-off unit to a permanently driven front-axle, and then uses a clutch pack to engage the rear axle from around 0-100%.
The front axle, however, is always driven. At best, the mechanical torque split is 50/50 (well, without mis-matched gearing in the rear diff like in Acura's SH-AWD systems).
Now, their marketing department can say that it will transfer 100% of the torque to the rear wheels, because technically that's true, but only if there is no load whatsoever on the front wheels, those wheels, however, are always driven.
Same thing goes for "and on to an individual wheel".
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JIm 11:48AM (11/26/2007)
Duncan, According to Volvo's info for their XC90, the maximum torque split front to rear is 50/50. As configured for the XC the system cannot deliver more than 50% to the rear. As you state, the Haldex system is front drive with the rear drive "grafted" on. Four percent goes to the rear all the time.
Of the torque that does go to the rear, up to 100% can be allocated to either wheel.
The article does, however, talk about "future" application and the percentages may be different. If you know differently please weigh in as I am in the market and looking at a XC.
MikeW 12:34PM (11/26/2007)
Yup, not technically a lie.
If the front wheels were on a frictionless surface then it would be true that the power split would be 0/100 F/R.
A similar situation would be if you drove your car up onto a snow bank and both front wheels were fully extended spinning in the air.
I'd rather have someone copy the Alfa Romeo Torsen3 center differential drivetrain.
mikomi 11:15AM (11/26/2007)
If you look at the Wiki page for Haldex, there's a sidenote way at the bottom saying that Mazda does not use Haldex systems.
http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Haldex
As for Toyota using Haldex? I don't think Toyota has ever used Haldex before in passenger vehicles. But I do know that Haldex does use a Toyota program/system/philosophy for their business philosophy. (mentioned here somewhere: http://www.haldex.com/en/Corporate_Governance/Annual_General_Meeting/2007/CEO_presentation/ )
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Sandeep 11:57AM (11/26/2007)
Does this mean the end of the Hyundai - Borg-Warner relationship?
I was never really impressed with the part time system on my Tucson until this weekend, when it worked miracles on low-traction surfaces. Hopefully the Haldex system will be better and shed some pounds.
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Phatboyc 8:13PM (11/26/2007)
I was impressed with my 07 Santa Fe ITM 3e™ Borg Warner system. They even developed Acura's popular SH-AWD system.
Heck the ITM 3e™ was also used and adapted to the 2006 and up Porche 911TT's!
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