Xtrac instantaneous gearchange system known as IGS wins powertrain innovation award and plaudits from technical editors and motorsport team principals.
Transmission technology specialist Xtrac has received the Powertrain Innovation of the Year Award presented for its instantaneous gearchange system known as IGS. The award was presented at the Professional MotorSport World Expo 2011 held in Cologne this week.
"Like many other technical innovations by the motorsport industry Xtrac’s seamless gear shifting system could well have wider application in the automotive mainstream,” said Graham Heeps, jury member and editor of Professional Motorsport World magazine, which organises the event. “It’s a very clever yet simple mechanism that can be introduced to existing automated manual transmissions, and could help vehicle manufacturers to build more efficient electric cars.”
“The IGS is as fast as it can be, given that for a nanometrical split of time both gears are engaged,” said another judge, Alvaro Sauras technical editor CAR&Tecno magazine. “To tune the mechanics of the gearbox to make it able to work with two gears inserted at the same time, without blowing up, must be extremely difficult!”
“I’m delighted to receive this award on behalf of the company,” said Xtrac development director Cliff Hawkins. “I would like to thank all those involved in the development of IGS particularly Andy McDougall the inventor, who is currently working at our Indianapolis facility, also the engineers and technicians in our UK design and manufacturing departments who helped to develop the technology. This award recognises their ingenuity in coming up with a highly original solution.”
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(Article taken from www.newspress.co.uk)
