History was made in early January when the first hybrid-powered off-road truck set off from the start line of the 42nd Dakar Rally (in Saudi Arabia).

In co-operation with MKR Technology, ZF had fitted the Riwald Dakar team’s Renault C640 with a new driveline developed especially for this event.

The core of the driveline is a special prototype of ZF’s central electric axle drive, reconfigured in terms of its hardware and software to make it fit for a rally.

The CeTrax Lite RS drive supports the main engine (diesel) by providing an additional 1,400Nm of torque, a cruising power of 80kW and a peak output of 150kW.

However, developing a specific gear ratio proved to be a tough challenge, as the 13,000rev/min asynchronous electric motor had to be adjusted to the 2,700rev/min ‘transmission output’ of the 1,000hp diesel engine.

In addition to the electric motor, ZF also supplied the integrated power electronics and the hybrid control unit — including the software that has been programmed specifically for the Dakar Rally.

An automatic transmission from ZF is also installed in the driveline.

Power from the combustion engine and the e-unit enter the ZF transfer case, converting the Renault truck into an all-wheel off-road vehicle.

ZF says that this truck exemplifies its claim to develop e-mobility technology for every vehicle segment.

Ralf Boss, director of special vehicle systems at ZF (www.zf.com), said: “The extreme conditions of the Dakar Rally — lots of sand and rough terrain — offered us a unique opportunity to subject our hybrid driveline to the ultimate test, and it bodes well for other demanding applications with special vehicles.”

In tests by the Riwald Dakar team and their driver Gert Huzinshow in Poland, France and the Netherlands, the team was able to cut a few seconds off its usual times.

Besides the extra power, the time advantage is due to the ‘recuperation effect’ of the electric motor.

This means that the brakes can be actuated later and harder, allowing the vehicle to be driven at its ‘limit speed’ for longer.

Mario Kress, chief designer and owner of MKR Technology (www.mkr-technology.com), said: “We are excited about how quickly and effectively the CeTrax Lite RS boosts the truck’s performance.

“Moreover, the 400V battery can be recharged quickly while driving so that it can deliver another bout of massive torque for the next dune.”