Transmission technology company Xtrac has unveiled its advanced e-axle system for the first electric-powered cars to compete in the 2021 to 2024 FIA World Rallycross Championship.
“Our ability to deliver a competition-ready EV gearbox reflects our continuing investment in transmission technology,” said Adrian Moore, chief executive, Xtrac. “No other supplier can deliver a motorsport EV gearbox virtually off the shelf, which is why the motorsport industry acknowledges Xtrac as the world’s leading supplier of motorsport transmissions.”
With each 4WD vehicle equipped with two single-motor e-axles, one for the front axle and one for the rear, the P1316 e-axle will be supplied to Austrian company Kreisel, which has been selected as the supplier for the phased introduction of a battery-powered propulsion system. Kreisel is responsible for the state-of-the-art motors, inverters and battery.
Xtrac’s latest addition to its Integrated lightweight electric vehicle (ILEV) range has an overall ratio of 7.90:1 and is suitable for use with motors with a power rating of 250kW and an input speed up to 15,000rpm.
Lubrication is provided through an internal eccentric rotor pump with pressure feed to all critical areas, as well as a semi-dry-sump oil pick-up to minimize churning losses and optimize overall gearbox efficiency, with the option to fit an externally mounted oil cooler.
The differential is a multi-plate ramp type limited-slip differential with adjustable pre-load which, as an option, can be adjusted externally. Output flanges are explicitly designed for the application, meaning that the driveshaft length can be optimized for each vehicle type if required.
Thanks to the use of the company’s own ultra-high specification XM023 material for the highly loaded and weight-optimized components, the weight of the P1316 e-axle is 21kg, depending on the specification.