New driveline and transmission test facility open

Ricardo's Driveline and Transmission Systems (DTS) division has officially opened its doors on a new and advanced driveline and transmission test facility in Royal Leamington Spa in the UK

Ricardo's Driveline and Transmission Systems (DTS) division based at its Midlands Technical Centre in Royal Leamington Spa in the UK officially opened its doors on a new and advanced driveline and transmission test facility today (Tuesday 1 May).

The new facility will help Ricardo develop the next generation of advanced driveline and transmission systems for safer, more refined, reliable and fuel efficient, low emission vehicles.

Initially, two test cells have been commissioned, representing the first phase of what will ultimately be six test cells.

The cells are the only ones of their kind in Europe within an independent automotive engineering consultancy.

Among the most advanced in the world, they have the ability to simulate in real time any road load condition.

Commenting on the ?2 million spend to complement its world-class capability in the design of all types of automotive transmissions and drivelines Ricardo chief executive Rodney Westhead said: "This state-of-the-art facility represents the latest investment to keep us at the forefront of automotive technological developments.

It is part of a ?9.5 million outlay in our Midlands Technical Centre and is one of the latest parts in a ?41 million three-year capital expenditure programme to enhance facilities throughout the company." Gerald Andrews, managing director, Ricardo DTS added: "The new cells give Ricardo a significant advantage in providing clients with a complete turnkey project capability in driveline and transmission engineering.

Our customers, the world's leading vehicle manufacturers and tier one suppliers now have access to a fully independent driveline and transmission design, test and development facility that will allow them to bring new products to market faster than ever before.

Ricardo Midlands Technical Centre can now provide clients with a one-stop shop for all aspects of engine, driveline, transmission and vehicle engineering." The new rigs, with their sophisticated Schenck Ricardo Systems T2000 control software, can test the complete driveline of passenger cars, sports cars, light commercial vehicles and small off-highway vehicles.

They complement the company's project management capability for whole driveline and transmission engineering from initial design concepts, through prototype manufacture and development to validation testing for production.

The advanced test facility is the jewel in the crown for Ricardo Driveline and Transmission Systems, a new division within Ricardo.

With a dedicated management team focussed on meeting changing motor industry demands, it is further developing its long-established and world leading driveline and transmission resources.

These resources encompass the wide-ranging mechanical, pneumatic and hydraulic controls, as well as electrical and electronic disciplines required to engineer complete drivelines and transmissions for vehicles ranging from powered two wheelers, through passenger cars and commercial vehicles to agricultural and off-highway construction machinery.

As an integral part of its operations, RDTS also embraces the company's motorsport activities and ultra-specialist prototype and low volume manufacturing facilities.

It is in this area of business that Ricardo is now planning additional investment in order to bring new transmissions into the marketplace in limited volumes prior to their implementation in high volume production.

"The additional investment to put in a small assembly facility that is truly world class in terms of quality and technology, and capable of producing up to 10,000 transmissions a year, is approximately ?2 million" says Andrews.

"If a vehicle manufacturer and tier one supplier want to expose an emerging technology to the marketplace before committing to high volume production they now have that option.

A current example would be hybrids, where we are well placed to apply our advanced engineering know-how and tooling.

We are a technology provider not a volume manufacturer, but if we can assist a vehicle manufacturer bring a new technology into the marketplace, initially through low-volume production, then we are well placed to do so." He added: "Such a facility would also support the trend towards bringing high technology automotive products into the marketplace in limited volumes as rapidly as possible in order to gain a marketing advantage.

The first-to-market premium of a niche model is a major incentive and can amount to potential revenue for the vehicle manufacturer of millions of pounds a day.".

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