A power transfer unit includes an input shaft extending along an input axis and an intermediate drive shaft extending at least partially through the input shaft along the input axis. The power transfer unit further includes a ring gear assembly having a ring gear and a ring gear shaft coupled to the ring gear. The ring gear shaft at least partially surrounds the input shaft and extends along the input axis. The power transfer unit also includes a collar coupled to the input shaft. The collar surrounds the input shaft and is movable relative to the ring gear shaft along the input axis between an engaged position and a disengaged position. When the collar is in the engaged position, the input shaft is coupled to the ring gear shaft. When the collar is in the disengaged position, the input shaft is decoupled from the ring gear shaft.

An axle disconnect and differential locking system for single or multiple axle vehicles which allows the vehicle to selectively engage and disengage an axle half shaft from the differential side gear. Additionally, the system allows the vehicle to selectively switch between locked and unlocked differential driving modes. The system has a first position, a second position and a third position. At the first position, the system is not meshingly engaged with the differential side gear or the differential case. At the second position, the system is meshingly engaged with the differential side gear but is not meshingly engaged with the differential case. At the third position, the system is engaged with the differential side gear and the differential case. In one embodiment the system is a sliding collar. According to another embodiment, the system includes an axle disconnect collar, a differential locking collar and a biasing member disposed therebetween.

An axle disconnect and differential locking system for single or multiple axle vehicles which allows the vehicle to selectively engage and disengage an axle half shaft from the differential side gear. Additionally, the system allows the vehicle to selectively switch between locked and unlocked differential driving modes. The system has a first position, a second position and a third position. At the first position, the system is not meshingly engaged with the differential side gear or the differential case. At the second position, the system is meshingly engaged with the differential side gear but is not meshingly engaged with the differential case. At the third position, the system is engaged with the differential side gear and the differential case. In one embodiment the system is a sliding collar. According to another embodiment, the system includes an axle disconnect collar, a differential locking collar and a biasing member disposed therebetween.

Some embodiments of the present invention provide a control system configured to control a driveline of a motor vehicle to operate in a selected one of a plurality of configurations, the system comprising at least one sensor for sensing an environment ahead of the vehicle and generating a sensor signal in dependence on the environment, the system being configured to cause the driveline to operate in a configuration selected in dependence at least in part on the sensor signal.

An AWD drivetrain is configured to primarily direct drive torque from a transversely-aligned powertrain assembly through an auxiliary power transfer unit to a rear driveline and selectively transmit drive torque to a front driveline via actuation of at least one power-operated clutch. The auxiliary power transfer unit includes an input component drivingly connected to the powertrain assembly, and an output component connected to the input component by a hypoid gearset The output component is operatively connected to the rear driveline and is configured to normally transfer the drive torque to the rear driveline.

A utility vehicle with ergonomic, safety, and maintenance features is disclosed. A vehicle is also disclosed with improved cooling, suspension and drive systems. These features enhance the utility of the vehicle.

A park lock apparatus and control unit for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a locking member (28, 30; 50) having: a first state arranged to permit independent rotational movement of front and rear drive shafts (20, 22) of the vehicle relative to a fixed position on the vehicle; a second state arranged to prevent independent rotational movement of the front and rear drive shafts of the vehicle relative to the fixed position on the vehicle; and a third state arranged to prevent rotational movement of the front and rear drive shafts of the vehicle relative to the fixed position on the vehicle, and an actuation member (36; 64) for moving the locking member between the first, second and third states.

A park lock apparatus and control unit for a vehicle, the apparatus comprising: a locking member (28, 30; 50) having: a first state arranged to permit independent rotational movement of front and rear drive shafts (20, 22) of the vehicle relative to a fixed position on the vehicle; a second state arranged to prevent independent rotational movement of the front and rear drive shafts of the vehicle relative to the fixed position on the vehicle; and a third state arranged to prevent rotational movement of the front and rear drive shafts of the vehicle relative to the fixed position on the vehicle, and an actuation member (36; 64) for moving the locking member between the first, second and third states.

A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.

A vehicle drive system capable of selectively providing all-wheel drive and single-driven-axle modes includes a front drive unit having a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear and a sun gear driven by the transaxle's drive spool via an input shaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby selectively provide both an available low range and a front axle disconnect. The front drive unit further defines a power take-off unit with a clutch selectively coupling the input shaft to a propshaft. The rear drive unit includes a planetary gearset with a grounded ring gear, a sun gear driven by the propshaft, and a differential selectively coupled by a dog clutch to one of the sun gear or the planetary carrier, or neither of them, to thereby likewise selectively provide both an available low range and a rear axle disconnect.