Ford and its technology partner, German-based automotive component manufacturer and supplier Schaeffler, have unveiled a Fiesta-based eWheelDrive research car, which is powered by independent electric motors in both rear wheels.
The integrated wheel-hub drive in the test bed demonstrates the potential of saving space by freeing up acreage under the bonnet that would otherwise be taken up by a central motor in an EV, and in a conventional car, by an engine and transmission and replace them with more space for features such as additional protection zones.
With in-wheel motors, the components required for drive, deceleration and driver assistance technologies are installed in an integrated wheel hub drive, including the electric motor, braking and cooling systems.
Space-saving benefits could in the future support development of smaller, more agile cars optimised for urban areas, for example a four-person car sized like a two-occupant vehicle of today. Steering system designs could also evolve and enable vehicles to move sideways into parking spaces, a potential breakthrough as cities become more populated.
Ford will next partner with Schaeffler, Continental, RWTH Aachen and the University of Applied Sciences, Regensburg, on project MEHREN (Multimotor Electric Vehicle with Highest Room and Energy Efficiency) to develop two new driveable vehicles by 2015.
The project aims to increase the integration of in-wheel motors in a vehicle and will also explore areas such as vehicle dynamics control, braking, stability and the fun-to-drive factor in greater detail.
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Few years ago, there was the Evo IX MIEV and the Japanese eight wheel Ellica (not to mention a few more prototypes)which also have in-wheel electric motor or wheel hub electric motor. I think it is a brilliant piece of technology, saving space while giving the benefits torque-vectoring for fun driving and handling, and also redundancy;1 motor down, 3 more to spare. So it is now up to which manufacturer to introduce this great tech to the public first
However, I am skeptical on a few issue, would’t it be adding more weight to each wheels, increasing the unsprung mass of each wheel and therefore killing the comfort of the car; A lighter wheel can bounce readily/easily vertically according to the terrain, absorbing the bumps while a heavier wheel has more weight resisting the effect, therefore deteriorating the vibration and ride quality[I’am terrible at explaining these].
Another thing is that by putting a largely complex electric motor to the wheel of a car, the electric motor will take a lot of abuse. Every bumps of the road is being transmitted almost directly to the motors with no suspension or dampers to even out the irregularities of the road surface.
a good point on unsprung weight.. i myself have always believed the same as well. but i was certain that engineers have been looking into this as well as in wheel motors are not a new development and many manufacturers have been toying with them.. in the interest of learning more.. i found this interesting article which seems to say that an engineering solution (as always) can be found to solve this problem.. http://www.thetruthaboutcars.com/2013/04/heresy-unsprung-lotus-engineering-unsprung-weight-doesnt-really-matter-much/
Ford and Schaeffler should come to Malaysia and see what a shit job Sime Darby is doing. 3 months wait for most parts? 3 months people have to leave car in service centre for basic repairs. See previous Ford postings, even side mirror also 3 months they take
Have you ever thought that by having individual electric motor to each wheel (regardless of the positioning), it can actually do static turning. :)
Not sure if it’s good or bad to add weight to the wheels. But hey, rear wheel drive fiesta.. w00t
Un-sprung weight is answered by the other comment. I would like to add something. If more of the weight is in the wheel, it will stay closer to ground. So the center of gravity will be closer to earth. It will add more balance at cornering. Wheels have large angle rotation to offer an easier parking. Schaeffler and Ford are supposed to do more modifications on this before it can be road ready. At this moment, I feel Schaeffler has brought German engineering and Ford provided a good and compact platform. I give my applause to both Schaeffler and Ford.
If you are interested, see the test drive experience form an independent tester here:
http://www.plugincars.com/ford-prototype-offers-intriguing-possibilities-future-electric-cars-127085.html
literally reinventing the wheel!
This translate to more unsprung weight thus reducing dynamic stability and handling performance.
It is a wonderful design by Schaeffler and Ford. Not only the car is using electricity for the energy but also the car design originally is for 2 passengers. Schaeffler and Ford could mortify it with high talented engineer skill. It is now with the same size but carrying more passengers.
motor inside the wheels? creativity is good..but is this wheel can adepth for daily usege?
its not a new idea, but i didn’t realise it was such an old idea. just 5 mins of googling and i found out that Ferdinand Porsche built an electric car with wheel hub motors in 1897 and sold 300 of them. learn something new everyday
I had an electric scooter that used a hub motor. It was an awesome design. I’ve ripped that thing apart and used the motor in several applications for kid’s toys. I think this is a great idea if they can get the power needed. With a small car it wouldn’t be a problem. Of course, the larger the car, the bigger you can make the wheels.
imagine this car drives in KL flood ..
Agree. Wonder if it will withstand being submerged in water? I cannot imagine changing all 2 or 4 motors at once because water got into the circuitry…
Prepare to be electrified.
That is one weak coil spring and absorber setup to support such heavy in wheel motor ! They should make it more robust..
Agreed, the suspension set-up looks worryingly suspect…And aren’t most conventional coil springs and absorbers meant to be one unit (correct me if I’m wrong…), and not detached as pictured…?
Also, the tires look a tad too small to support the Fiesta, never mind the electric motor…maybe they could have used thicker & larger diameter tires instead to improve things…
Whether we like it or not, the EV is here to stay and I do think that Schaeffler is well on the way with solutions to a couple of problems. Now it is possible to have sufficient luggage space or room for a family, plus the nightmare of inner-city parking would be helped enormously by the 90 degree steering lock which will allow the car to go in sideways. I have a feeling that the reason no production date has been given is because Schaeffler and Ford have not finished yet – as the article says, they will be teaming up with Continental, RWTH Aachen and the University of Applied Sciences, Regensburg, on project MEHREN to develop two new driveable vehicles by 2015. I believe that by 2020 the majority of us will be driving either hybrid’s or EV’s.
Jo Carter is right, we dont have to worry too much at the moment. Thw ewheel drive Fiesta right here is acting as a technology showcase much more than anything, Schaeffler and Ford are telling us what they have achieved and what can be done to change the driving habit in the future. The teaming up of Ford, Schaeffler, Continental, Regensburg University of Applied Sciences and RWTH Aachen is just proving the ewheel is the correct path for the future, we should expect good solutions to all the concerns made by the crowd so far sooner.
Yes, I agree, Vita. Although it is a prototype only, it is going to be a real one. That’s why Schaeffler and Ford give themselves around 2 years for testing or further development to avoid any failure. It is because a failure would cost a lot no matter how well the products sold.
Product testing is the very crucial step during the product development, I am glad to hear Schaeffler and Ford spending such much effort on it. But 2 yeas is just an estimation, it could be sooner and could be later. Prudence produces excellent work is always true, I hope they could take their time to produce the perfect product for the EV markets around the globe.