On the 5th June 2007 Torotrak Plc announced a licence agreement with Xtrac Ltd to use Torotrak’s traction drive technology to develop highly efficient and compact continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) for application in a new mechanical kinetic energy recovery system (KERS) proposed for Formula 1 motor racing. 

Further to this, Torotrak now confirm that a major F1 racing team has become the first customer for the mechanical KERS system. This F1 team will be supplied with KERS technology through Silverstone based Flybrid Systems LLP, an innovative engineering company focused on research and development of hybrid vehicle technology, who will source Torotrak’s full-toroidal CVTs used in their KERS systems directly from Xtrac Ltd.

Dick Elsy, chief executive at Torotrak, stated: “the rapid movement from concept to application with a significant F1 racing team highlights the benefits of the mechanical KERS system and its ability to contribute to improved performance. This is also a significant step towards acceptance of Torotrak’s technology for use in mainstream road cars to provide improvements in performance, fuel economy and greenhouse gas emissions.”

This development demonstrates the level of interest and confidence within F1 in the mechanical KERS system based upon Torotrak’s full-toroidal traction drive technology. Furthermore, it highlights the benefits of using Torotrak’s technology to meet the requirement outlined by FIA president Max Moseley – of developing technology directly relevant to improving fuel efficiency in road cars – by recovering energy from the vehicle under braking and subsequently re-using that energy to accelerate and drive the vehicle.

Speaking about the agreement, Adrian Moore technical director Xtrac, said: “We are delighted to be working with Flybrid, which has an important role to play in the development of an energy efficient KERS system for F1. It is also exciting to be involved in the development of this new technology, which ultimately has the prospect of helping road cars to be more fuel efficient."

The mechanical KERS system utilises flywheel technology developed by Flybrid Systems to recover and store a moving vehicle’s kinetic energy which is otherwise wasted when the vehicle is decelerated. The energy is received from the driveline through the Torotrak CVT, engineered and supplied by Xtrac, as the vehicle decelerates, and is subsequently released back into the driveline, again through the CVT, as the vehicle accelerates. The FIA has defined the amount of energy recovery for the 2009 season as 400kJ per lap giving the driver an extra 80hp over a period of 6.67 seconds.

Compared to the alternative of electrical-battery systems, the mechanical KERS system provides a significantly more compact, efficient, lighter and environmentally-friendly solution.

Jon Hilton, Flybrid’s managing partner, states: “We believe the Torotrak solution offers the smallest and lightest package for the power output required and that the inherent torque controlled nature of the device ideally suits our application.”