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Antonov looks East to China
By John Challen.
Antonov Automotive Technologies, the developer of speciality transmissions based in the UK’s Midlands, has revealed more details about its six-speed gearbox that is set to break new ground in the Chinese automotive market. The TX6 transmission, which is set to start production in China in the last quarter of 2010 has been designed with simple manufacturing in mind, ideal for the engineers working in a country whose car industry is in its infancy. The compact unit (Antonov has a target length of 350mm) boasts no technologies that haven’t been previously proven, according to Mick Battrick, the company’s operations director. “The TX6 is designed to be as simple as possible, with only one friction element on each gear,” he confirmed.
In September 2007 Antonov signed an agreement with Loncin to work together in setting up a manufacturing JV for the production of the units for sale both within China and later for export. Just over a year later, the emphasis seems to have shifted with the company saying it will worry about exports after establishment in the Chinese market. Any decision to expand into other developing countries would be dependent on economic conditions as well as demand. In China, deals have already been signed with Lifan Motors, and Antonov has confirmed that two other local vehicle manufacturers will be supplied with the six-speed transmission. Beyond that, the company is deep in negotiations with many other manufacturers that are working on vehicles due for launch in 2010/2011.
The TX6 uses opposing internal forces to change gear, therefore eliminating the need for a traditional torque converter and hydraulic pump found in a standard four-speed. The versatile unit can be mated to engines of any capacity between 1.5-litres and 2.2-litres, and can accommodate torque between 150 and 220Nm. The transmission is a development of a four-speed unit that Antonov developed some years ago. As cost is a key factor both in developing countries and also due to the current climate, Battrick is aiming the cost of each six-speed unit will be the same as a regular, off-the-shelf four-speed auto.
Antonov engineers have been conducting the analysis of the transmission on RomaxDesigner, a software tool that Simon Roberts, chief engineer, product simulation and CAE at Antonov Automotive Technology calls the “world’s leading transmission analysis package”. Through the use of the tool, full 3D models can be constructed in days, calculating and allowing for any complexities that may arise from the system. “RomaxDesigner has also enabled us to undertake a great deal more virtual testing than previously possible,” says Roberts. “Very early on in the system development we were able to implement a 200,000-mile road test model, which achieved all the goals it set out to.”
Antonov is using the Volkswagen Golf 1.6-liter FSI as a base vehicle for the test and development of the TX6. Cars fitted with the transmission are currently accumulating miles both in China and in the UK. Early results after just three weeks of calibration have yielded promising results, according to Battrick: “We have already achieved fuel economy figures that are on a par with factory-fitted items, and that is by using prototype hardware. We’re confident that by the time the project is complete we will outperform the competition.”
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