GKN Says Smart AWD Saves Fuel

GKN Driveline, part of the U.K.'s GKN plc, is gearing up to take advantage of the auto industry's trend toward all-wheel-drive systems with a technology it says will save money and energy.

Working with braking and electronic stability control systems suppliers, GKN is in the midst of designing an electronically controlled system that reduces carbon dioxide emissions by automatically switching to front-wheel-drive mode when conditions don't warrant AWD.