Electric Drive Axle for New PSA Peugeot Citroen

[Plex]

Electric Drive Axle for New PSA Peugeot Citroen HYbrid4 Technology

A European first for GKN Driveline
FRANKFURT--(Business Wire)--
IAA -- GKN Driveline will supply the electric drive axle for PSA Peugeot
Citroën`snew HYbrid4 technology.

PSA Peugeot Citroën HYbrid4 technology will be launched in 2011 on the Peugeot
3008 HYbrid4 (displayed at the Frankfurt Motorshow) and on the Citroën DS5
HYbrid4.

The technology, which is at the heart of PSA Peugeot Citroën's low carbon
automobile product strategy, combines the fuel economy intrinsic to HDi diesel
engines on roads and motorways with an electric drivetrain that is particularly
suited to urban driving, and allowing an "all electric" drive mode with zero
emissions. The electric drivetrain is provided by the GKN Driveline drive unit

The electric drive axle incorporates GKN Driveline's proprietary disconnect
clutch technology which facilitates on-demand all-wheel-drive (AWD) use and
contributes to the overall all-terrain functionality and fuel efficiency of the
new PSA Peugeot Citroën system. The HYbrid4 system is fitted with an electric
motor with a maximum capacity of 27kW and a maximum torque of 200Nm at the rear.
The GKN Driveline drive unit is capable of delivering 1500Nm of torque to the
rear wheels.

GKN Driveline has been an early pioneer in electric drive axles. Since 2002, GKN
Driveline has produced over 200,000 units for various vehicle manufacturers.

Rob Rickell, global engineering director at GKN Driveline, said: "We are very
proud and excited to have been chosen by PSA Peugeot Citroën to participate in
the development of its breakthrough HYbrid4 technology, with our first electric
drive axle application in Europe. With the industry's heightened focus on fuel
efficiency and the environment, there is a growing demand to exploit the
long-term potential of electric-drive technology.

"We now see increasing opportunities to work with our customers to share our
extensive competence in driveline and electronic torque management systems and
to co-develop driveline solutions for tomorrow's generation of vehicles. This is
a key pillar of the GKN Driveline brand."

Editor`s notes:

About GKN Driveline

GKN Driveline is the world`s leading supplier of automotive driveline components
and systems. As a global company serving the world`s leading vehicle
manufacturers, GKN Driveline develops, builds and supplies an extensive range of
automotive driveline components - for use in the smallest ultra low-cost car to
the most sophisticated premium vehicle demanding the most complex driving
dynamics.

GKN Driveline is a leading global producer of sideshafts, propshafts,
mechanically and electronically controlled torque management systems and
associated geared components. www.gkndriveline.com

About the GKN Group

GKN plc is a global engineering business serving mainly the automotive,
industrial, off-highway and aerospace markets. It has operations in more than 30
countries, at 31st December 2008 it had nearly 40,000 employees in subsidiaries
and joint ventures and had sales of £4.4 billion in the year ended 31 December
2008. GKN plc is listed on the London Stock Exchange (LSE: GKN). www.gkn.com

Reuters