DSD's low-cost 12V hybrid aims for small cars

As hybrid solutions for vehicles gain broader applications, reducing cost in technology-dense systems that demand 48V power is a constant challenge. It is particularly important for A-segment cars, superminis and microcars and equally vital for emerging markets such as India, which have traffic-clogged major cities.

To this goal, driveline and transmission engineering specialist Drive System Design (DSD) recently revealed a mild-hybrid concept that it claims offers up to 60% of the energy recovery typically achieved by more sophisticated (and costly) full hybrids. And it can be done using 12V electrical architecture as a major contributor to cost control.