Electrification
Engineering the ultimate electric supercar
A supercar is so much more than a vehicle. It represents the epitome of performance —power, speed, and handling—along with unique design, luxury, and modernity, providing an unparalleled driving experience. For decades, that singular feeling brought on by massive engines and spectacular chassis was fueled by internal combustion. Hence, a company like McLaren Applied faces one of the biggest challenges in technology as it figures out how to make an authentic supercar in an electrified world.
Challenge
- Powering motors to ensure the ultimate driving performance
- Optimize electrical efficiency at high voltages (800 V)
- Create a traction inverter that’s commercially viable
Solution
- A power module with silicon carbide driving the most demanding powertrains
- A SiC device with one of the lowest resistances in its class
- ST’s 3rd generation SiC has yields guaranteeing volume production
Impact
- Electric drive units offering an experience worthy of a supercar
- Highly compact 800 V power units with up to 99% efficiency for 7% more range
- EVs become more affordable, opening them to mainstream markets
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As electric vehicles flood the market, one of the big challenges is to differentiate the driver experience. ST’s SiC hardware is an enabler for us to do that and deliver advanced motor control software.
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Geoff Owen, Chief Engineer, McLaren Applied
Deliver a unique driving sensation
The question is even more complex when considering the experience of a supercar is steeped in speed, torque, agility, and responsiveness. Indeed, transitioning to an electric motor is not enough. Customers in this elite market want their cars to have a spirit, a character that delivers a unique sensation. To address these challenges and ensure scalable performance for a wider range of high-volume applications, McLaren Applied created the IPG5 800V SiC inverter. After careful evaluation, the British company tapped into ST's silicon carbide technology through the ACEPACK DRIVE power module.
Why McLaren Applied settled on ST’s silicon carbide power device
The silicon carbide power device is one of the central pieces of the traction inverter —the power module represents 60% of the bill of materials value. That’s why McLaren Applied needed the right device to achieve the performance required and why the British company settled on an ACEPACK module.
ST’s silicon carbide power device was the only one that outperformed its 480 Arms rating while also having one of the lowest resistance at 1.9 mΩ as many in the industry hover around 3 mΩ at 400 Arms only.
Another key driving factor was ST’s manufacturing capabilities. Not only did ST guarantee the volume needed, but it was also possible to customize the power module to install a self-clinching nut that better fitted McLaren Applied’s assembly processes.
ST worked with McLaren Applied in ways that most suppliers in the industry just can’t
It may seem like a small detail, but experts in manufacturing know that the tiniest piece can make a world of difference. Hence, by working closely with ST, McLaren Applied was able to ship the fifth generation of its IPG inverter and offer it for high-performance applications across a variety of industries such as automotive, aviation, marine, motorsport and commercial vehicles.
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The most important thing to me is a good relationship with the supplier. If the relationship is good, then we can make everything else work. We’ve got a very strong relationship with ST.
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Ewa Manners, Category Manager, McLaren Applied
McLaren Applied's traction inverter: A significant contribution to the automotive industry
As the importance of reliability, range, and efficiency becomes increasingly evident for mass-market electric vehicles, the entire industry is shifting towards the use of cost-effective silicon carbide power modules. ST's ACEPACK DRIVE’s exceptional performance makes it the clear choice for car makers who want to lead the charge towards electrification.
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The objective was to achieve superior performance and efficiency, while seamlessly aligning with our mechanical integration needs to create an exceptionally power-dense product. Delivering these attributes with commercial viability at scale was imperative, ultimately guiding us to collaborate with ST.
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Paolo Bargiacchi, Head of Products, Programs & Engineering – Automotive, McLaren Applied
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