MUNICH: The BMW Group and Jaguar Land Rover are joining forces to develop next generation electric drive units.
The BMW Group brings long experience of developing and producing several generations of electric drive units in-house since it launched the pioneering BMW i3 in 2013.
Jaguar Land Rover has demonstrated its capability with this technology through the launch of the Jaguar I-Pace and its plug-in hybrid models.
The BMW Group’s most sophisticated electrified technology to date features an electric motor, transmission and power electronics in one housing.
This electric motor does not require rare earths, enabling the BMW Group to reduce its dependence on their availability.
Starting next year, the BMW Group will introduce this electric drive unit, the fifth generation (“Gen 5”) of its eDrive technology, with the BMW iX3 Sports Activity Vehicle.
The Gen 5 electric drive unit will be the propulsion system upon which subsequent evolutions launched together with Jaguar Land Rover will be based.
“The automotive industry is undergoing a steep transformation. We see collaboration as a key for success, also in the field of electrification,” said Klaus Fröhlich, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG, Development.
The cooperation allows the BMW Group and Jaguar Land Rover to take advantage of cost efficiencies arising from shared development as well as economies of scale from joint purchasing.
