Traction Systems

This year, Haldex Traction Systems celebrates its 10th anniversary as a separate division of Haldex. Since its establishment in 1998, the division has grown into one of the world’s leading suppliers of four-wheel drive systems to such global passenger car manufacturers as Ford, General Motors and Volkswagen.

The history begins in 1992 with the acquisition of a patent from Sigge Johansson, a well-known member of the Saab rally team. The concept focused on a hydraulic clutch that was operated by a differentiating rpm-pump. The technology was later developed by Haldex to enable the industrialization that led to unique new patents. In the early stages, the clutch was developed for and in cooperation with Volkswagen. By 1996, the product had progressed to the extent that Volkswagen booked a series production order for its Golf platform. Series production was started in 1998 and the first generation of the widely acclaimed Haldex clutch was introduced in various passenger car models with transversely mounted engines, with particular emphasis on the popular Audi TT.

Since then, well-known cars such as Volvo, Ford, Bugatti, Land Rover, Audi, Skoda and SAAB/GM have been equipped with four-wheel drive systems from Haldex. The product generations have succeeded one another, and development of Generation V is under way.

Haldex XWD, a completely new electronic differential brake launched in 2007, was developed from the Haldex product platform of systems for torque transmission. For optimal vehicle dynamics, maximum flexibility and to achieve greater cost effectiveness, Haldex XWD and the Haldex clutch use the same power source and control unit. Haldex XWD can be used as an option for the control of torque transmission from side to side, which offers an effective alternative to brake-based systems that reduce engine power.