Summary
- THK unveiled the LSR-05 EV prototype at the 2024 Paris auto show
- Prototype features in-wheel motors and wireless charging system
- Designer was former Nissan design chief Shiro Nakamura
- Seats require smaller installation place and more maneuverability
- Features include in-wheel electric motors, active suspension system, and contactless charging system
Article
At the 2024 Paris auto show, Japan’s THK unveiled the LSR-05 EV prototype which featured in-wheel motors and a wireless charging system. Former Nissan design chief Shiro Nakamura was responsible for the design of the prototype. The LSR-05 showcased some of the latest developments in electric vehicle technology, using THK’s in-house technology for the electric powertrain, suspension, and seats. The prototype was initially shown as a concept at the 2023 Tokyo auto show but the version at the Paris show was a more advanced prototype with parts that might end up in production.
The THK LSR-05 prototype featured seats that required less space on the vehicle floor compared to conventional seats, providing more maneuverability due to a special actuator. The prototype also utilized in-wheel electric motors developed by THK, with one for each of the rear wheels and a conventional electric motor driving the front axle. The in-wheel motors featured a variable magnetic flux system that utilized a highly rigid ball screw, similar to the technology used by other automakers like Dongfeng. Other technologies in the prototype included an active suspension system with magnetic dampers, a brake-by-wire system, and a contactless charging system.
The charging system of the THK LSR-05 prototype relied on a power transmitter embedded in the ground and a power receiver installed in the vehicle. The height of the vehicle could be lowered using the suspension system to improve charging efficiency, resulting in a smaller and lighter power receiver. SN DESIGN PLATFORM, a design company in Tokyo led by Shiro Nakamura, was responsible for the design of the prototype. Nakamura, known for designing the original Nissan Leaf EV and the current GT-R sports car, also presented the EV Sport 01 concept in recent times.
Shiro Nakamura and his team at SN DESIGN PLATFORM have been involved in designing multiple EVs, including the LSR-05 and the EV Sport 01. While AIM technology company planned to build a business case for the EV Sport 01 to enter production, THK has not yet made a similar statement for the LSR-05. However, THK mentioned that they are working on a more advanced EV prototype, the LSR-07. The LSR-05 prototype showcased innovative technologies and design elements, indicating a promising future for electric vehicles developed by THK and designed by Shiro Nakamura and his team.
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