Ford introducing more six-speed transmissions
While many high-end autos are boasting seven or even eight gears in their transmissions, mainstream vehicles often are saddled with units including only half that many. The lack of mechanical gear ratios is rather detrimental to fuel economy, so we're happy to see that Ford is launching more six-speed units for both front- and rear-wheel-drive applications. The new 2009 F-150 will feature a six-speed, and considering the huge sales numbers of that vehicle, the 4 to 6 percent improvement in fuel efficiency on average should translate into a good deal of fuel savings. Also slated for six-speeders are the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariners when powered by the gasoline engine. The hybrids will continue to use a CVT. Ford is also planning on bringing their dual-clutch Powershift transmission to America for upcoming models. The Powershift is available oversees already in the Euro Focus and is capable of providing a 10 percent decrease in fuel mileage.
Press Release:
FORD TRANSMISSIONS ARE CLUTCH PLAYERS IN THE DRIVE FOR FUEL ECONOMY LEADERSHIP
DETROIT, April 13, 2008 – The often overlooked transmission is proving to be a secret weapon for Ford Motor Company in the quest for improved fuel economy.
"Transmission technology is playing a key role in bringing down fuel consumption," said Craig Renneker, chief engineer for new automatic transmissions for Ford Powertrain Operations. "That's why Ford is rolling out an industry-leading array of fuel-efficient, six-speed automatic transmissions on more than half of the North American product lineup, including the new 2009 Ford F-150."
And there is more to come. Later this year, Ford will begin producing a new fuel-saving, front-wheel drive six-speed transmission for use first in the 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, which goes on sale this summer.
Hybrids, fuel cells and advanced internal combustion engines will remain at the forefront this week when more than 35,000 automotive engineers gather in Detroit for the 2008 SAE World Congress. But the role of advanced transmissions also will be highlighted in panel discussions and technical papers at the annual conference.
New transmission technologies are a key part of Ford's strategy to deliver sustainable, quality vehicles that customers want and value. The new transmissions deliver 4 to 6 percent improvement in fuel efficiency on average compared with typical four- and five-speed gearboxes.
"Ford is on the cutting edge of advanced transmission technology," Renneker said. "We've introduced an array of advanced transmission from multispeed automatics to CVTs, but we're not used to making headlines. Our objective is for the transmission to be invisible to the customer with its performance and smoothness, so I guess we tend to fade into the background."
However, Renneker and his gearbox experts have much to talk about, particularly the highly sophisticated six-speed automatic transmissions in North America and a new dual-clutch transmission called Powershift, which is already delivering diesel fuel economy improvements of 10 percent to the Focus in Europe. Powershift also is planned for future vehicles in North America.
"These new technologies are all about fuel economy," Renneker said. "Particularly, here with the six-speed autos, we're delivering a wide ratio span that provides a high top gear for fuel-efficient cruising while delivering good launch feel for lower displacement engines. This technology will mate perfectly with the new Ford EcoBoost engines that are on the way."
The significant advancements in automatic transmission technology mean that more drivers in North America will reap the fuel economy benefits traditionally enjoyed by vehicle owners with manual transmissions.
Philip Yuhasz, director of transmission and driveline engineering at Ford, will be speaking on a panel on the role of transmissions of the future on consumer buying decisions at the 2008 SAE World Congress. Yuhasz's presentation highlights the differences in customer preferences between the United States and Europe. Yuhasz will also share his insight into the role of different government regulations and testing regimes for driving manufacturers to develop different technologies for regional needs.
[Source: Ford]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
dan 10:37AM (4/15/2008)
you mean a 10% increase in fuel mileage, right?
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rgseidl 10:43AM (4/15/2008)
If the price of fuel is high enough, consumers will pay for extra efficiency. Passenger cars got extra gears either to support higher speeds or, to improve comfort and fuel economy in freeway cruising thanks to an overdrive.
Trucks use the extra gears at low speeds, to increase load capacity per unit of displacement. It's expensive to increase the number of gears in a conventional AT with planetary sets. Now that spur gear sets can handle high torque, manufacturers can switch to manual transmissions or alternate AT designs that can easily support high gear counts.
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Kevin Nugent 10:37PM (4/15/2008)
Smart move. You know everything counts if we used all these small gas saving technologies and combined it with fuel valve deactivation and many other fuel saving equipment the savings could be huge Seriously. It all just takes initative
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jpdr1100 11:53AM (4/17/2008)
Gee, dual clutch automated manual transmissions, and Eco-boost (direct gasoline injection w/ turbocharging). In another few years Ford will have reached the level of technical advancement that VW put into production back in 2005.
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