Revolutionising all-wheel drive technology with GKN Automotive’s e4WD

Amid this backdrop of technological evolution, GKN Automotive introduced a system in 2002 that proved both forward-thinking and enduringly relevant: the e4WD eDrive system.

Making its debut in October that year as an option on the Nissan Cube, it helped to revolutionise all-wheel drive technology. Known as e4WD, this innovative system used a compact electric motor to drive the rear wheels. Featuring GKN Automotive's transmission integration solutions and software development, it delivered enhanced traction with virtually no weight and efficiency penalties.

In the case of the Cube, a traditional 1.4-litre internal combustion engine drove the front wheels all the time, while the electric motor at the rear was automatically engaged on slippery surfaces and at low speeds. Unlike conventional all-wheel drive transmissions, the e4WD didn’t need a propshaft or a bulky transfer unit, which meant there was no sacrifice on interior space.

Powered by a small generator run off the main petrol engine, GKN Automotive’s e4WD helped improve efficiency compared to existing mechanical systems. With far fewer components there were reduced friction levels, while the motor was also automatically disconnected from the wheels when travelling at higher speeds - both of which contributed to improved fuel economy.

At the time, GKN Automotive saw the huge potential for this lightweight, cost-effective and reliable electrified all-wheel drive set-up. “We see it as a big trend in the automotive industry,” Ramon Kuczera, then Chief Engineer but now Vice President of Engineering, said at the time. “This system allows them to use the bones of an existing platform and add an electric rear axle drive without a giant tear-up and really get a lot of benefits and the safety and security of AWD. We are bidding on several other types of axles as well for other OEMs.”

Over the last two decades, demand has increased massively, with the large adoption of hybrid powertrains requiring transmission solutions similar to that pioneered in the Cube e4WD. Not only has Nissan featured the set-up on numerous models, but the innovative technology was also adopted by brands as diverse as BMW, Jeep, Mazda, Peugeot and Volvo. It's this heritage that has seen, since 2002, more than 2.5 million units delivered.