Concept car is powered by electric motors in the wheels
Ford's new eWheelDrive concept car sees the motor moved to the back of the wheel hubs, a move it says will pave the way for smaller, more agile cars better suited to busy, urban environments.
Developed in collaboration with Schaeffler, the Fiesta-based electric vehicle is expected to allow automakers to build a four-person car in the space of a two-person car, or produce new steering arrangements that allow vehicles to drive sideways to manoeuvre into the tightest of parking spaces.
"This is an exciting project to work on with Schaeffler because it potentially opens new options for the development of zero emission vehicles with very efficient packaging and exceptional manoeuvrability," said Pim van der Jagt, Ford's director of research and advanced engineering.
The next step for the partners will be to team up with Continental, RWTH Aachen and the University of Applied Sciences, on project MEHREN (Multimotor Electric Vehicle with Highest Room and Energy Efficiency), to develop two new driveable vehicles by 2015.
"This highly integrated wheel-hub drive makes it possible to rethink the city car without restrictions; and could be a key factor in new vehicle concepts and automobile platforms in the future," said Peter Gutzmer, Schaeffler's chief technical officer.
