Bentley, OCTOPUS reach out to an e-powertrain future

MANILA: Bentley Motors announced yesterday the introduction of the OCTOPUS (Optimized Components, Test and Simulation, toolkits for Powertrains which integrate Ultra high-speed motor Solutions), an Office of Low Emission Vehicles (OLEV)-funded three-year study that aims to explore the future of electric drive.

OCTOPUS aims to modify electric vehicle powertrains through the use of a completely incorporated, rare-earth magnet e-axle that supports the design of electric vehicles (EVs).

The study also confirms the desire of Bentley to promote sustainable luxury mobility and to launch the first purely electric Bentley vehicle by 2026. It complies with an initial 18-month investigation that brought technological advancement in electric drive systems for high-efficiency vehicles.

OCTOPUS also aims to introduce test and simulation cycles, production processes, and next-generation materials to bring a full e-axle powertrain with distinct innovative performance characteristics and levels of integration appropriate for real-world applications in the future.

Working upon the leading electronics research of UK, the existing electrical drive system surpassed current permanent magnet motor performance while at the same time eliminate the necessity for both copper windings and rare-earth magnets. Thus, it brings a package that is both renewable and cost-efficient.

The study also brings together specific partners with unique responsibilities and roles. These include the Advanced Electric Machines Research Ltd (responsible for transmission and motor design), the Thinking Pod Innovations Ltd and Nottingham University (for power electronics maximization and optional wide band-gap system configuration), Hartree Center Science and Technology Facilities Council (for innovative co-simulation toolkit development and system testing), Diamond Light Source (the national synchrotron light source provider in UK that brings access to X-ray facilities to determine measurements), Talga Technologies Ltd (two-dimensional materials development for future winding innovations), and Bentley Motors (for system testing, vehicle integration planning, and specification setting).

Other partners are the Advanced Electric Machines Ltd (responsible for systems assembly and production), FD Sims Ltd (for future wire technology development), Hieta Technologies Ltd (AM component manufacturing and design for thermal management, which include e-axle oil cooling, power electronics, and stator core housing), and the Institute for Advanced Automotive Propulsion Systems (IAAPS) at the University of Bath (for incorporated evidence of concept verification testing and system analysis).

Director of Powertrain Engineering at Bentley Motors Stefan Fischer said that they have a vivid direction towards providing a hybrid option for each model by 2023, beginning with the Bentayga Hybrid.

He added that with the rapid transformation of cars, technologies, and industry, research projects like the OCTOPUS are essential to bring advanced technologies and surpass obstacles for the future of mobility solutions.

Photos from Bentley

Also read: Revised Bentley Bentayga boasts complement of tech, design upgrades