Industry News: eBeam Technology by Magna brings Electrification to Todays Pickups

[G. David Felt]

Magna's eBeam technology announcement today aims to reduce the cost of building a new EV or electrical vehicles platform. The costs associated with a new platform to move to electrification from a traditional ICE is slowing down the ability to get product to market.

Magna's eBeam technology is focusing on allowing to keep the existing pickup trucks capabilities while transitioning to electrification. This is the first significant solid beam rear axle change in more than 100 years according to Magna.

Magna's eBeam technology is scalable giving auto makers the ability to electrify their trucks without sacrificing utility and functionality. eBeam technology can be integrated with a battery for pure BEV or connected to a Hybrid system thus supporting high-payload vehicles and matching continuous-duty power usage.

This technology supports existing breaking and suspension systems giving auto makers a quick way to electrify their trucks and preserving towing and payload capabilities.

Magna's eBeam family comes in power choice of 120 kW (161hp) and 250 kW (335hp) and allows three variants.

• Single motor, single speed
• Single motor, two speeds
• Twin motor, single speed including torque vectoring

Magna has additional powertrain solutions for the front of the truck to support electric 4WD that includes software and controls for a seamless integration.

 

News Release - Magna Drives Pickup Truck Electrification With Its New eBeam Technology

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[G. David Felt]

I can see this as an excellent 3rd party sold item for folks wanting to custom convert their own full size truck or SUV to electric.

I have also reached out to Magna to clarify if the 120 / 250 kW power is available on each of the 3 variants? If so then that torque vectoring dual motor combo at 250 kW per motor would be a total 670 hp on the rear axel alone. Add in a motor from them on the front axel and you have an awesome powerful 4WD full size truck or SUV.

[balthazar]

All 6 of them.

[surreal1272]

13 hours ago, balthazar said:

All 6 of them.

You keep saying things like that like it is a known fact but I think you’d be surprised at the end number, price willing of course. 

[balthazar]

I also keep harping on the cost; both of new BE's and conversion costs.
You can buy so many different, factory-built V8s that drop right in so many vehicles; GM Performance sells a 495HP LS3 long block for $7800. If you paid to put it in, it shouldn't run more than a grand- let's peg it at $10K even. EV West charges about $32 grand to do a conversion. More than 6 people may well like the idea.... but there's no price parity.

[surreal1272]

53 minutes ago, balthazar said:

I also keep harping on the cost; both of new BE's and conversion costs.
You can buy so many different, factory-built V8s that drop right in so many vehicles; GM Performance sells a 495HP LS3 long block for $7800. If you paid to put it in, it shouldn't run more than a grand- let's peg it at $10K even. EV West charges about $32 grand to do a conversion. More than 6 people may well like the idea.... but there's no price parity.

Harping on the cost is one thing but I don’t see a price anywhere in those article so maybe wait and see what it actually costs before continually harping on it. Just saying. Besides, I’ve seen countless pick ups where people put tens of thousands of dollars on stupid s*** like lifting it three feet and slapping $5000 wheels and party lights on them. 

Edited March 12, 2021 by surreal1272

[balthazar]

Fair enough. I don't have high expectations, tho.

[oldshurst442]

Hmmmmm....

Scalable...

 

Art Morrison GM A Body modernized and reinforced frame

 

 

 

And the possibilities from this idea are endless...

Of course if money was no object kinda of thing. But restoring classic cars done the RIGHT way is kinda hugely expensive and often a money pit without any monetary gains in the end EXCEPT for a HUGE smile of the restorer and/or owner at the end of the finished project. 

 

Edited March 12, 2021 by oldshurst442

[G. David Felt]

3 hours ago, balthazar said:

I also keep harping on the cost; both of new BE's and conversion costs.
You can buy so many different, factory-built V8s that drop right in so many vehicles; GM Performance sells a 495HP LS3 long block for $7800. If you paid to put it in, it shouldn't run more than a grand- let's peg it at $10K even. EV West charges about $32 grand to do a conversion. More than 6 people may well like the idea.... but there's no price parity.

Only 495 hp 473 lb-ft of torque LS3 Long block motor is not street legal, but a racing motor only.

LS376/480 Crate Engine: 19369333 | Performance (chevrolet.com)

Cheapest price from a GM dealer was $9,758.40

Engine (REPLACES PART NUMBER 19369338) 19370413 | GMPartsDirect.com

From a 3rd party reseller was Summit @ $8,175.63 

Chevrolet Performance 19369333 (summitracing.com)

All state this is a racing motor only, not street legal and you still need a controller chip and harness not included.

If you want a drop in and ready motor your over $10K if your able to install it yourself.

GM prices on ICE have all increased including their blocks only for your own build up.

Crate Engines: Classic, Race, and Project Cars | Performance (chevrolet.com)

Yes, right now ICE is still a bit cheaper for those on a tight budget, but for those that want change, want something different and want less maintenance, the days of rebuilding an old auto with a modern EV power train are coming.

Right now for the wealthy and those willing to pay up which is why EV West and other companies exist. But Soon even OEMs are going to have plug n play for conversion of ICE to EV. GM and Ford have committed to this.

2 hours ago, oldshurst442 said:

Hmmmmm....

Scalable...

 

Art Morrison GM A Body modernized and reinforced frame

 

 

 

And the possibilities from this idea are endless...

Of course if money was no object kinda of thing. But restoring classic cars done the RIGHT way is kinda hugely expensive and often a money pit without any monetary gains in the end EXCEPT for a HUGE smile of the restorer and/or owner at the end of the finished project. 

 

Best part is for those that have a loved full size truck or SUV and have decided to spend some money and want less maintenance by going EV, this is a great way to go.

I can easily see changing my 1994 GMC Suburban I have in storage to EV with this as it keeps everything except the ICE components.  

EDIT: Thinking on this, I am really starting to love this idea. 670 Double rear motor with Torque vectoring and Magna has a 160kW (215)hp front end electric motor with steering. Total of 885HP AWD for the suburban. That gives me a HUGE FRUNK!  

[balthazar]

3 hours ago, David said:

LS3 Long block motor is not street legal, but a racing motor only.

Legalese pertaining to modern, emissions-certified vehicles. It can go in a vintage vehicle just fine.

3 hours ago, David said:

have decided to spend some money

[G. David Felt]

Response from the VP at Magna Corporation to help clarify the power:

The power range that we quote (120-250kW) is the available power range for a single motor application; the options are either 120kW, 160kW or 250kW, in a single motor. eBeam variants available with a twin motor, ex: twin 160kW, would have a total of 320kW.

Tracy Fuerst

Vice President, Corporate Communications and PR

 

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