Dana Incorporated today announced that the company is now supporting an expanded portfolio of Ford’s all-wheel-drive vehicle programmes from its state-of-the-art manufacturing facility in Chongqing, China.
Recently the company began producing its Spicer AdvanTEK Ultra axles with Spicer SmartConnect disconnecting all-wheel-drive (AWD) systems for the Ford Escape, Lincoln Nautilus, and Lincoln Corsair. Dana’s operations in Chongqing have been supplying Spicer AdvanTEK Ultra rear-drive units for the Ford Edge programme in Asia-Pacific since the 2019 model year.
The drive units take advantage of Dana’s Spicer AdvanTEK axle technology, which delivers best-in-class efficiency by reducing oil churning along with gear and bearing friction. When the axle is configured with Spicer SmartConnect disconnecting AWD technology, the combined system enables manufacturers to deliver maximum fuel efficiency for their customers.
Bob Pyle, Executive Vice President, Dana & President of Dana Light Vehicle Driveline Systems, said, “Advanced drive technologies are enabling impressive gains in performance, fuel efficiency, and ride and handling for today’s vehicles. The expansion of Dana’s support for Ford demonstrates our unwavering commitment to innovation as well as our strong and growing collaboration with customers in China and the entire Asia-Pacific region.”
Spicer AdvanTEK Ultra Axle
Engineered for vans, crossovers, SUVs, and other light vehicles, the Spicer AdvanTEK Ultra axle delivers best-in-class fuel efficiency across all torques, speeds, and temperatures without trade-offs for durability or comfort. It leverages ultra-low viscosity lubricants while maintaining gear durability and life to achieve up to a 45% reduction in energy loss compared with a typical axle.
Axles are traditionally designed to durability specifications, which is followed by engineers calculating the thinnest oil that may be used without sacrificing component life. Dana engineers reversed the Spicer AdvanTEK Ultra axle process by first defining the specifications for an ideal ultra-low viscosity lubricant and then designing compatible gears and bearings that take full advantage of the lubricant without sacrificing durability and noise, vibration, and harshness performance.
The Spicer AdvanTEK Ultra axle serves as a launchpad for future applications, including supplementing hybrid vehicles as automakers transition into electrification.
Spicer SmartConnect Disconnecting AWD System
Spicer SmartConnect technology helps global automotive manufacturers address evolving emissions regulations while maintaining the safety and control that are key advantages of AWD systems on SUVs, crossovers, and other light vehicles. Vehicles with disconnecting AWD systems are designed to automatically and seamlessly transition to AWD when the system predicts or detects slipping at the wheels, such as during rapid acceleration or in icy and other low-traction conditions.
The Spicer SmartConnect system configures the drivetrain to work in the front-wheel-drive mode for most driving conditions and engages AWD only when needed, enabling improved fuel efficiency.
NB: Featured product photo is representational.