Volkswagen is launching a new APP550 rear-wheel electric drive for its ID. series of electric models. The first EV with the new drive generation in a 210 kW (286 PS) variant will be available by year’s end.

The powertrain’s maximum torque is roughly 550 Nm, depending on the vehicle’s gear ratio, improving power development at standstill and higher speeds. The stator has a higher effective number of windings and a bigger wire cross-section, while the rotor features stronger permanent magnets with a higher load capacity. The new drive also incorporates an energy-saving cooling system without an electric oil pump. The gear wheels, oil supply and distribution components allow the system to cool itself. For higher power efficiency, the inverter has been developed to supply high-phase currents.

“We developed a new drive that achieves significant improvements in performance and efficiency in spite of being subject to the same constraints,” Karsten Bennewitz, Volkswagen’s Head of Powertrain and Energy Systems in Development. “The result shows that we were able to reduce the use of raw materials, while at the same time achieving a considerable increase in vehicle efficiency.”

Source: Volkswagen