Patent ID: 7632202

Claim:
A powertrain for an all-wheel drive vehicle with forward and rearward sets of traction wheels, the powertrain comprising: an engine; an electric generator; an electric motor; a geared transmission having a first torque delivery element connected drivably to the engine, a second torque delivery element connected drivably to the generator, and a torque output element; the electric motor being drivably connected to the forward set of traction wheels and being electrically coupled to the generator; and a multiple ratio gear unit drivably connecting the torque output element of the geared transmission to the rearward set of traction wheels, whereby mechanical energy is distributed to the rearward set of traction wheels and electrical energy is distributed to the forward set of traction wheels; the multiple ratio gear unit comprising discrete ratio gearing with distinct ratio steps in a torque flow path from the torque output element of the geared transmission to the rearward traction wheels.