New technologies at FISITA 2018
In the recently-concluded FISITA 2018, ZF showcased its range of advanced technologies for the Indian market designed for passenger cars and commercial vehicles. The product range for passenger cars includes technologies such as its ProAI supercomputer, electric drive, seat belts, airbags, clutch cover XTend, clutch by wire and advanced driver assist systems (ADAS). In the commercial vehicle segment, the company is highlighted its clutches, dampers and automated manual transmissions. Additionally, ZF also showcased its advanced chassis technology solution mSTARS (modular Semi-Trailing Arm Rear Suspension).
The mSTARS axle concept offers multifaceted applications in the most diverse vehicle segments such as the compact and mid-size car, the luxury vehicle and the sports car. For performance and comfort reasons, in the mSTARS core configuration all control arms are connected to the subframe. In an entry version of the suspension, the longitudinal link can alternatively be attached to the vehicle body. The application in hybrid, fuel cell and battery-powered vehicles is also possible in combination with standard powertrain modules or the active rearaxle steering system known as Active Kinematics Control (AKC).
Dr Holger Klein, Member of the Board of Management, ZF Friedrichshafen AG, said, “India is an important growth market for ZF and we are significantly expanding our presence here – in terms of localisation technologies for our domestic customers but also developing our engineering activities here to support our global business. We are expecting above market growth over the next few years. We have furthermore recently established India as an individual region within our own internal structure, allowing us to place greater focus and attention on this market.”
Suresh KV, President of ZF India, said, “The demo vehicle equipped with mSTARS is a good example of how our global engineering teams work together to develop technologies which meet local market needs. This system can help our customers to meet the new requirements for lightweighting specified in the upcoming BS-VI norms from April 2020. We plan to launch our AMTs and dampers for commercial vehicles by 2020.”