- February 5, 2021
Arjeplog, Sweden at Colmis Proving Grounds (16th January-2021 to 5th February 2021) – Punch Powertrain tested its innovative hybrid powertrains on the toughest and coldest terrains of Sweden. Since winter conditions can be tough on cars, analyzing the performance of vehicle transmissions, engines, systems, and components under sub-zero conditions is an essential part of the development and testing process. Despite the challenges of Covid 19, we are strongly committed to delivering the highest standards of reliability, including real-life testing.
Full range of tests in -31°C
Punch Powertrain possesses a full range of in-house state-of-the-art testing facilities, among which, a Climate Chamber that allows to cool down the entire vehicle to temperatures as low as –40°C. However, a warm-up to ambient temperature follows shortly during driving. In order to put the reliability to the test in real-life conditions, a broad variety of tests was performed in Arjeplog, guaranteeing a real-life warm-up process.
The testing encompassed various stages, including cold start-up testing, shifting performance, warm-up cycle, and cold drag testing. To attain optimized vehicle balance, suspension stability, ESC calibration, augmented driveline performance & sub-system development, the entire process consisted of different snow intrusion terrains tests.
Scalable hybrid DCT
The transmissions that were put to the test were the DT2 transmissions for MHEV and PHEV applications. This fundamentally new, compact, and cost-effective hybrid transmission is based on the well-known ‘Dual Clutch Principle’. However, Punch Powertrain conceived an innovative and fundamental improvement to this concept, enabling an electric motor to become an integral part of the transmission.
This improvement allows the class-leading unit to enjoy benefits from both its components, namely an ultra-efficient DCT technology, on the one hand, linked to electric machines, allowing varying levels of hybridization on the other hand. This flexibility in electric power levels and cost is unseen for any other transmission currently in the market. Such easy scalability is highly important, as it enables OEMs to continuously adjust their vehicle fleet electrification mix to the market demand, ensuring compliance with CO2 mandates.
