GKN Driveline’s Helical LSD Helps refine all-new Mégane Renault Sport Cup
FRANKFURT--IAA -- GKN Driveline’s unique torque-sensing Helical limited slip differential (LSD) has been chosen by Renault for the “Cup” version of it’s latest and most powerful Mégane Renault Sport unveiled at this year’s Frankfurt Motor Show.
Succeeding the much praised Mégane F1 Team R26 and Mégane R26.R, the entirely new Mégane Renault Sport features a 250hp (340 Nm), 2-litre 16-valve turbocharged engine driving the front wheels.
In order to increase the sporty character of the new car’s “Cup” version and to improve its dynamic performance especially for circuit driving, Renault engineers asked GKN Driveline to develop their helical high-performance LSD as standard equipment. GKN Driveline has been supplying similar units to Japanese manufacturers since 1995, but fitment on the Mégane F1 Team–R26 in 2006 was the first application by a European manufacturer.
The compact Helical LSD is fitted inside the transmission of the front-wheel drive Mégane R. S. Cup significantly enhancing the drive delivery and general dynamic performance of the car. The robust unit is a mechanical, torque-sensing LSD, comprised of a knurled helical gear set inside a durable differential housing. It operates on the basis of gear separation forces generating friction between internal components and a resulting torque bias that resists differentiation. Consistent performance, low backlash and compatibility with ABS and ESP systems are key features of this GKN Driveline product.
Rob Rickell, global engineering director for GKN Driveline said, “Drivetrain developments have lead to ever increasing power and torque outputs which have, especially in the case of FWD cars, created big challenges. For Renault, we were able to find an existing product that with relatively minimal engineering, was ideally suited to their new performance Mégane R. S. Cup.”
The Mégane R. S. Cup will be available later this year in Germany, France, the UK, Italy and Spain.
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
Photos are available on the GKN Driveline website at www.gkndriveline.com.
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