An exciting new technology concept was unveiled at the Motorsport Industry
Associationâs ‘Clean Racing Conferenceâ, by Rob Oldaker, product development
director, MG Rover Group and John Wood, managing director, MIRA. The ‘Hybrid
Performance Developmentâ is a petrol/electric powered MG TF featuring a
combined output of 200Ps deployed through its four road wheels. MIRA engineers
in consultation with MG Rover Group have produced the ‘200 HPDâ specification,
derived from the popular MG TF sports car, producing functional and
environmental benefits, with a wider performance capability potential for
motorsport.
Rob Oldaker, commented: "The 200 HPD is the culmination of two talented
Midlands-based companies, bringing together their expertise to create this MG
car, that perfectly illustrates the vision of the Clean Racing Conference."
John Wood, added: "We conceived the idea to produce an enhanced performance
car that anticipated environmental requirements, while expanding todayâs sports
car driving experience. The car achieves this with ‘responsible performanceâ
where the innovative hybrid solution sharpens acceleration, at no expense in
tailpipe emissions, yet also offers customer benefits like all-wheel-drive
traction and the low-speed clutchless operation of ‘City modeâ."
The holistic approach combines electric traction with aerodynamic advances,
driving the perception of hybrid cars forward into the realms of driving
excitement. Motorsport has a renowned capacity for efficient development of
components and systems while stimulating the publicâs interest. This is a new
opportunity for the industry to accelerate both technical progress and customer
excitement of these hybrid technologies that are capable of giving a competitive
edge with green credentials.
Enhancing the performance of an existing MG TF without increasing the
environmental impact was the aim of the project undertaken through a partnership
between MG Rover Group and MIRA. The initial development vehicle – the MG TF
200 HPD – reduces the existing 0-60 time from 6.9 to sub-6 seconds, without
increasing tailpipe emissions or fuel consumption, yet also offers a range of
other benefits high on the customer wish list, such as enhanced traction through
all wheel drive and the low speed clutchless option of ‘City modeâ.
Working in consultation with MG Rover Group, engineers at MIRA designed and
developed a parallel hybrid drivetrain to supplement the existing rear wheel
drive 160Ps MG TF, using an electric motor to drive the front wheels. The
additional power of the electric motor results in a 25% increase to 200Ps,
greatly enhancing the sprint acceleration of the MG TF. The motor,
innovatively combined with Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT), extends
opportunities for advanced all wheel drive active torque distribution.
The application of hybrid technologies has been holistic, with implications
far beyond the motive power. New approaches have been required for vehicle
aerodynamics, styling, cooling efficiency and weight distribution as a
consequence of the hybrid specification. The team took advantage of the revised
package to eliminate front and rear lift, a key element in vehicle stability,
and to reduce drag by 7%, benefiting emissions and fuel economy. In this
development car, the addition of the front electric drive train and battery pack
combine to produce an ideal 50/50 weight distribution.
"MG Rover Group anticipates the potential of using hybrid technology to boost
performance responsibly and to offer a range of additional functional benefits
that include all wheel drive and city mode capability," says Rob Oldaker,
product development director.
MIRAâs advanced design, control and simulation techniques have configured the
system so that the hybrid system re-charges during part throttle cruising, to
deliver clean, additional performance when the driver needs it most. One
potential motorsport application envisaged could use the battery pack to provide
a finite number of boosted acceleration cycles, allowing evenly matched drivers
to overtake and stimulate spectator appeal.
Additional virtues of the hybridisation are the continuous ‘hotshiftâ
acceleration capability and the ‘City modeâ where the electric drive is used
independently of the engine and gearbox for relaxed driving in urban areas.
MG Rover Group and MIRA expect that, once developed, the technologies will
move onto the manufacturing design feasibility stage. Indeed, the partnership,
which includes MG Rover Group, MIRA Ltd and Powertrain Ltd , has just been
awarded a contract by HM Governmentâs Energy Saving Trust to develop these
technologies into production viable passenger cars.
"Consumers are demanding cleaner cars," concludes John Wood of MIRA, "and the
MG TF 200 HPD technology offers motorsport the opportunity to both
increase consumer excitement and accelerate technical progress."