ZF has a new EV powertrain that promises a 30 per cent winter range improvement
The Select modular e-drive platform has a magnet-free motor and better heat-managing smarts Skip 2 photos in the image carousel and continue reading
Vehicle tech supplier ZF has created a modular e-drive powertrain that it says gives electric cars up to 30 per cent more range in extreme cold conditions.
How so? The Select modular system – to give the thing its official name – combines electric motors, converters, inverters, transmission and the software package needed to optimise electron-fuelled propulsion, though the company says all the components are interchangeable.
Advertisement - Page continues below
The not-so-secret sauce is a magnet-free motor (I2SM, for the nerds), which ditches the permanent magnets in favour of a slimmer, lighter setup that saves five kilos and fits into tighter spaces. According to ZF, it chucks out up to 300kW (402bhp in old money), and generates a silly 4,057lb ft of torque. And it's slicing energy losses by more than 25 per cent at motorway speeds.
Using something it calls 'TherMaS' - a compact, propane-based heat pump refrigeration circuit, rather than a pricey Scandinavian spa treatment – the German engineers have been able to extend range through heat management efficiency. You might like
The results? At a nippy -7°C, you get 15 per cent more range compared to current systems. At a nose-freezing -25°C, you're looking at up to 30 per cent more – which sounds pretty game-changing if you're based in the Arctic Circle.
The multi-tasking design uses the inspirational 'X-in-1' (akin to your favourite shampoo) but by utilising power supply and battery for different things, there are fewer components contributing to those lightweighting gains. New innovations to the gearing, inverter and converter which among other attributes enable bi-directional charging, too.
Advertisement - Page continues below
ZF also acknowledges that there's still a place for hybrids – set to be around for a few more years than first expected – so it has upgraded its eight-speed automatic transmission to be deployed in any kind of hybrid, not just mild and plug-in as it once was. Plus, there's that new generation of range extenders it's been working, too.
Thank you for subscribing to our newsletter. Look out for your regular round-up of news, reviews and offers in your inbox.
Get all the latest news, reviews and exclusives, direct to your inbox.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
Ford Recalls F-150 Lightning Over Brake Defect
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Ford has issued a safety recall for five 2025 F-150 Lightning trucks due to a potential brake fluid leak caused by a faulty repair procedure at the final assembly plant. While the number of affected vehicles is small, the consequences of the defect could be serious — including extended stopping distances and increased crash risk. According to documents filed with the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration (NHTSA), the problem stems from improperly repaired front brake jounce hose bracket screws. These screws may loosen and detach, causing the hose to rub against the tire, eventually leading to a brake fluid leak. 0:03 / 0:09 Rivian R1T delivers on this EV feature that Tesla forgot Watch More Source: Ford Improper Repair at the Factory The issue was traced back to April 1, 2025, when Ford's offline repair team began using an unapproved process to fix stripped screw holes on certain F-150 Lightnings. That process, which involved securing the brake hose bracket to the frame, failed to meet Ford's internal durability standards. The company halted the procedure on May 5 and began investigating. By mid-May, Ford had quarantined affected trucks still at the factory and launched a full review. The automaker determined that five trucks had already been shipped to dealers in the U.S. before the problem was identified. None were built in VIN order, meaning customers will need to check with Ford or a local dealer to verify whether their truck is part of the recall. Source: Ford Warning Signs and Repair Plan Ford says owners may notice increased brake pedal travel and reduced deceleration. If the brake fluid leak progresses, the red brake warning light will illuminate on the dash. In a worst-case scenario — rapid fluid loss or complete depletion — the vehicle could require significantly more distance to stop. Fortunately, Ford says it is unaware of any accidents, injuries, or warranty claims related to the issue. Owners will be notified by mail starting July 14, with repairs offered free of charge. Dealerships will inspect both front jounce hose brackets and replace the existing screws with a new MR12X40 self-tapping screw (part number W505286-S439) as per Ford's latest technical instructions. Dealers were notified on July 2. A Precision Fix for a Precision Truck While the scope of this recall is tiny compared to others — just five vehicles — Ford's rapid investigation and transparent filing underscore how even minor manufacturing deviations can trigger safety concerns, especially on vehicles with electric powertrains and regenerative braking systems. The F-150 Lightning has seen price cuts in the past, along with fresh competition in the full-size electric pickup space. Still, Ford continues refining its approach — and has responded quickly to small production flaws to maintain trust in its EV flagship. About the Author Max Taylor View Profile
Auto Blog
an hour ago
- Auto Blog
Maserati Teases The MC20's Successor
By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. Maserati Will Make A Splash At Goodwood Fans of the Trident brand will be pleased to hear that the Modenese automaker has plenty to show visitors at this year's Goodwood Festival of Speed, including what appears to be a new version of the Maserati MC20 supercar. Our perspective is that this will be a 'new' car, albeit in the same way that the Ferrari Amalfi is a new Roma – i.e., the MC20 would be sharpened, mildly restyled, and subtly renamed. Officially, all we have to go on is a teaser image, an Instagram post, and a statement: 'The House of the Trident will unveil a world debut of a new and authentic expression of energy crafted in the true Maserati way.' Science Suggests A Hybrid (Or Lightweight) MC20 Is Coming Source: Maserati Let's examine the solitary teaser image. This shows an intake behind a door shut line and below the Trident badge, and it has exactly the same shape as the one on the current 'regular' MC20 (not the GT2 Stradale or the wild MCXtrema, both of which will wow the crowds as they take on the famous Goodwood Hillclimb). The only difference we see is a slight lip on the top edge of the teaser vehicle's intake, so we expect most visual changes to be subtle. The Instagram post has the same image as Maserati's press release, but overlaid with Albert Einstein's equation that underpins the theory of equivalence between mass and energy, E=mc². Is this Maserati's way of saying that it's about to add an electric motor and battery to the MC20, turning it into a hybrid? Possibly, and if so, the use of Einstein's formula may indicate that Maserati will add enough power to overcome the unavoidable weight penalty. Alternatively, the equation could indicate that the new car will be lighter, even if it's not necessarily more powerful. Whatever it means, Maserati describes the upcoming arrival as having a 'sharper form' and 'unfiltered soul' for 'a new MC chapter.' The Name MC25 May Be Applied The MC20 arrived in 2020, so it makes sense to introduce the MC25 in 2025, and if a trademark filing at the United States Patent and Trademark Office (discovered by CarBuzz last month) is anything to go by, that's exactly what will happen. We can't be certain that the MC25 will be electrified, but with emissions regulations constantly tightening in Europe and Maserati's all-electric MC20 Folgore being canned due to low demand, perhaps it should. Maserati's announcement concludes with talk of innovation and says that the debutant it will reveal at Goodwood will mark a significant milestone in the brand's 'journey of renewal.' We'll let you know what that really means on Thursday, July 10. Autoblog Newsletter Autoblog brings you car news; expert reviews and exciting pictures and video. Research and compare vehicles, too. Sign up or sign in with Google Facebook Microsoft Apple By signing up I agree to the Terms of Use and acknowledge that I have read the Privacy Policy . You may unsubscribe from email communication at anytime. About the Author Sebastian Cenizo View Profile
The Independent
an hour ago
- The Independent
ExxonMobil and partner Qatar Energy find new natural gas deposit off Cyprus
A consortium made up of ExxonMobil and partner Qatar Energy International has made a second natural gas discovery beneath the seabed south of Cyprus, the government said Monday, a find that bolsters the region's potential as an energy exporter. New natural gas discoveries in the eastern Mediterranean could help Europe lessen its dependence on Russian hydrocarbons by diversifying its energy supply and help buttress a budding energy partnership between Cyprus, Greece and Israel, said John Sitilides, a senior fellow at the Foreign Policy Research Institute and geopolitical strategist at Trilogy Advisors in Washington. 'Washington and Brussels would be wise to support this hydrocarbon network to develop a greater measure of critical energy independence for Europe's hopeful re-industrialization,' Sitilides said. Cypriot government spokesman Konstantinos Letymbiotis said in a written statement that the ExxonMobil's vice president, John Ardill, briefed Cypriot President Nikos Christodoulides about the discovery at the Pegasus-1 well during a teleconference. The well was discovered about 190 kilometers (118 miles) southwest of Cyprus at a depth of 1,921 meters (6,302 feet) of water. No estimates of the quantity of natural gas were given. The statement said more assessments will be conducted in the coming months to evaluate the results. The ExxonMobil-Qatar Energy consortium holds exploration licenses for two areas — or blocks — inside Cyprus' exclusive economic zone. In 2019, the consortium discovered the Glaucus-1 well inside the same Block 10 where the Pegasus-1 well is located. Cypriot authorities say Glaucus-1 is estimated to contain 3.7 trillion cubic feet of gas. Overall, Pegasus-1 is the sixth natural gas deposit to be discovered inside Cyprus' economic zone in the last 14 years. Other deposits include the Zeus, Cronos and Calypso wells, which lie inside Block 6 that is operated by a consortium made up of Italy's Eni and Total of France. Cronos is estimated to hold 3.1 trillion cubic feet of gas and Zeus 2.5 trillion cubic feet. Calypso is still being evaluated. The Eni-Total consortium holds exploration licenses for four blocks. The earliest field to be discovered, Aphrodite, is estimated to hold 5.6 trillion cubic feet of gas. The field is inside Block 12, which is operated by a consortium made up of Chevron, NewMed Energy and Shell. Agreements with Egypt foresee gas from the Cronos and Aphrodite fields to be sent to Egypt via a pipeline for either domestic use or to be processed at Egyptian facilities for export to Europe and other markets. Cyprus' Energy Minister George Panastasiou also said that ExxonMobil, Eni and Total could partner up to jointly develop their gas deposits found in close proximity to each other.
