Dubai, UAE, March 12, 2019:  Continental, the leading German tire and automotive technology company, is partnering with Fiat Chrysler Automobiles (FCA) to develop an eTorque mild-hybrid technology that will be applied on the all-new Jeep® Wrangler. Continental’s industry-first, liquid-cooled 48-volt Eco Drive supports the eTorque system, contributing to the SUV’s legendary performance, while simultaneously improving fuel efficiency.

 

Continental’s 48-volt Eco Drive is based on a modular concept that has been previously adjusted to meet the power and performance demands of multiple vehicle classes, as done with the compact Renault Scénic diesel, Audi A8 performance sedan, and now the high-volume Jeep Wrangler SUV. Additionally, consumers in the Middle East will experience the all-new eTorque technology in the 2019 Ram 1500, a 2019 Wards 10 Best Engines winner for its 3.6-litre Pentastar V-6 engine, when it arrives in the region later this year.

 

The hybrid vehicle market is projected to grow globally to 7,593,000 units by 2025. Although passenger cars are estimated to make up the largest part of the hybrid vehicle market, commercial vehicles are estimated to be the fastest-growing segment. The developments, in terms of reducing emissions and improving fuel efficiency, are also being felt in the commercial vehicle segment.

 

Andreas Wolf, CEO of Continental Powertrain said: “Electrification is a key component of future mobility. Combustion engine and electrification are complementary partners and this combination will result in more efficiency with lower fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. Thanks to the electric 48-volt engine, the driving joy won’t be compromised.”

 

“The Jeep Wrangler is an iconic vehicle in the automotive industry and is known for its all-terrain driving capability. Once again, it is blazing a new trail with its eTorque system, powered by Continental’s 48-volt Eco Drive”, added Kregg Wiggins, Senior Vice President of Continental Powertrain, North America.

Continental’s compact 48-volt Eco Drive with integrated power electronics contributes to the benefits that the eTorque technology has to offer, including improved fuel economy, enhanced auto-start response, overall start-stop functionality and reduced noise levels. 

 

Eco Drive provides up to 88.5 lb-ft (120 Nm) of torque delivered to the crank via the engine’s front-end accessory drive. This enables auto-starts in less than 0.5 sec. 

 

The 31.5-lb (14.3-kg) engine version on the Jeep® Wrangler also helps maximise regenerative braking and offers an impressive 4.1 kW/L in power density. 

 

Furthermore, the technology helps deliver torque to the wheels more than twice as fast as a conventional 12-volt starter can accommodate. The liquid-cooled 48-volt Eco Drive also spins the engine faster, making eTorque’s benefits more readily apparent.

 

The liquid cooling of the Continental system’s Eco Drive and inverter results in uncompromised power – capable of delivering high performance at high ambient temperature.