British luxury carmaker Bentley Motors has revealed a three-year research study, dubbed OCTOPUS, that has the potential to be a game-changer for electric vehicle drivetrains. OCTOPUS stands for Optimised Components, Test and simulatiOn, toolkits for Powertrains, which integrate Ultra high-speed motor Solutions. The study is intended to help in the development of the first all-electric Bentley, which is set to arrive by 2026.
The OCTOPUS motor doesn’t contain copper windings and rare-earth magnets, therefore, it’s both recyclable and cost-effective. In the latest permanent magnet motor performance, the OCTOPUS development exceeded.
Stefan Fischer, the Director of Powertrain Engineering at Bentley Motors, said:
However, today, there remains challenges and package constraints on the viability and flexibility of electric vehicle powertrains that are able to fully support EV architectures. With the industry, technologies, and cars changing faster than ever before, research projects such as OCTOPUS are crucial to deliver innovative technologies and overcome challenges for the next generation of mobility solutions.
Next-generation materials, test cycles, and manufacturing and simulation processes will be applied to the electric drive system for Bentley to be able to deliver a full e-axle powertrain by 2026.
Fischer added:
We have made no secret of our ambition to lead the way in the delivery of sustainable luxury mobility, Beyond100. We have a clear roadmap to offer a hybrid option for every model by 2023, starting with the Bentayga Hybrid, and our next goal moves towards a fully electric Bentley by 2026.
OCTOPUS is an OLEV funded project and is also taking place as a nine-partner UK study, in partnership with the Innovative UK.
