Frankfurt Preview: Euro Ford Focus gets dual clutch gearbox for 2008
The 2008 Ford Focus EcoNetic
At the Frankfurt Motor Show this week, Ford is showing off an updated version of the European Focus. On the outside the freshened Focus picks up some kinetic design cues from the Mondeo but the best stuff is under the skin. The 2.0L DuraTorq common-rail turbo diesel gets bolted up to a new PowerShift dual clutch gearbox.
The dual-clutch transmission helps boost fuel economy by ten percent and lower the carbon dioxide compared to a six speed automatic. The diesel/DCT combination will also be available in the C-Max compact van for 2008. The Focus also gets interior updates including a 230V inverter to plug in electrical devices and a USB port for the audio system. Finally the Focus also gets the capless fuel filler that Ford is adding to the Explorer in the US market.
Gallery: European Spec 2008 Focus
[Source: Ford]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
IanL 6:34AM (5/15/2008)
You should check out info for a radical new transmission. It does everything the DSG & CVT does... and more.
Compact design, as fuel efficient as you can get. Integrated Hybrid capability... It's basically a gearbox for "All Seasons". Pity the industry won't fund it.
The real 'whizz' is stated in the second to last paragraph about perfect, seamless gear transfer... there is NO slippage or need to adjust engine revs at all. Even the DSG needs to have some slippage/wear.
Go to www.eurekamagazine.co.uk and search for
"gear system is radical" or follow the link below:-
http://www.eurekamagazine.co.uk/article/3414/Gear-system-is-radical-but-workable-.aspx
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Ian 10:43AM (9/11/2007)
Can someone explain to me what the concept is of the so called "doubleclutch" and now on earth it improvers gas mileage by 10%?
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MikeW 11:11AM (9/11/2007)
The concept of a double clutch is that instead of having one pathway for the engine power to reach the wheels, there are two.
Two clutches (cocentrically/coaxially mounted) drive two transmissions (in one case) drive the same differential.
Two parallel paths to the same wheels. So to upshift/downshift the other clutch is opened, the next gear to be used is synchronized, and then the drive is transitioned (the hand off, like a baton in a relay race) from one clutch to the other.
A double clutch transmission has two gear meshes for forward (the gear & the axle ratio) That is as few as practical-good for efficiency.
A 6 speed automatic has the same axle ratio gear mesh, and it has another to get power from the stub shaft to the primary axis. Then is has the gear meshes of the gear, the drag of the hydraulic pump, and other losses.
http://www.whatvan.co.uk/Hi-Res-Pics/Caddy-DSG-LP2hr.jpg
http://www.aisin.com/product/automotive/images/p_am_dtat_08.jpg
http://www.histomobile.com/histomob/internet/techniqu/122-12.jpg
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_Jon 8:26AM (9/12/2007)
Our Dual Clutch Transmission is a bit different than those pictured.
It uses two clutch packs, one to the left, one to the right. The one side has the odd numbered gears (1,3,5 - and reverse), the other side has the even (2,4,6). Using computer controls, the transmission engages one clutch while disengaging the other. If done right (and the computer makes sure it is), the result is super smooth and very efficient.
Our major problems in the past with this type of design have been strength (maximum torque) and sound. The main transfer gear was horribly noisy.
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Hooper 9:17AM (9/12/2007)
Jon: To which manufacturer are you referring when you write "our"?
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