Ford Focus and C-MAX get to PowerShift in the UK
Ford C-Max
A better transmission can help reduce fuel use by improving the efficiency of the transfer of energy from the movement of the engine to the wheels. Whether in dual clutch or continuously variable forms, improved transmissions are one way engineers are bumping up vehicles' MPG numbers. Ford has been adding more six-speed trannies to its lineup, and the company's UK versions of the Focus and C-MAX will soon get a new automatic transmission that Ford claims is as efficient as a manual. This "PowerShift" lightweight tranny eliminates a lot of the traditional subsystems and is electronically-controlled (see here for more details about the PowerShift in Volvo vehicles). Ford claims PowerShift is also more fun to drive, as the transitions between gears happens faster than a human can do with a manual system. Be that as it may, check out these numbers: all Ford Focuses with PowerShift get just over 40mpg (U.S.) while the similarly-equipped C-MAX vehicles get just under 40. More details after the jump.
Press Release:
FORD'S NEW HI-TECH GEARBOX BLENDS THE BEST OF AUTO AND MANUAL
* Efficiency of a six-speed manual with the convenience of an auto
* As light and sporty as a manual gearbox
* Available on Focus and C-MAX
* On-the-road prices from £18,195
BRENTWOOD, Essex, 23 June, 2008 – Ford Motor Company has added a high-tech new automatic transmission to its line-up, one which achieves the fuel economy of a manual gearbox but with the comfort and convenience of a normal auto.
Called "PowerShift", the new lightweight transmission uses the latest electronically-controlled twin-clutch technology to change gear, and therefore does not need the complex and weighty sub-systems such as torque converter or planetary gears of regular auto boxes.
Not only efficient, the new six-speed PowerShift is simple to use and yet with a sporty personality. Both up and down-shifts are executed faster than normal auto gearboxes, and faster than drivers can achieve with a manual.
PowerShift is available on either the Ford Focus or C-MAX ranges and with the 2.0-litre TDCi diesel engine. Two states of tune are available, 136PS or 110PS. Regardless of power rating, body style or series, all Focus models equipped with PowerShift offer a combined fuel economy of 48.6mpg, with average CO2 emissions of just 154 g/km while C-MAX delivers 47.9mpg and 159g/km.
Driving with the Ford PowerShift transmission is as simple and easy as a conventional automatic transmission. The system uses a standard automatic gear lever in the centre console with the usual P, R, N and D settings. The gear lever can also be moved laterally to a parallel gate should the driver choose a sportier style and the option of shifting manually.
Focus with Powershift starts from £18,195 for the 3 dr Zetec, 110 PS 2.0l TDCi.
C-MAX with Powershift starts from £19,895 for the 5r Zetec, 110 PS 2.0l TDCi.
[Source: Ford]
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
BLBdriver 4:10PM (6/23/2008)
Very interesting. It's certainly time to move up to six speeds in standard engine transmissions. Unfortunately the price point of these vehicles is still way outside the range of what most Americans would be willing to pay.
The transmission space is an area that holds enormous promise for electrically driven vehicles. I know Tesla has had some serious complications with their transmission systems. But they're understandably going after the transmission simplification pot of gold like everyone else.
Chorus Motors's Meshcon drive is apparently able to dispense with a mechanical transmission entirely and instead use a 'virtual transmission' that is software based and controls the rotational speed and torque profile of the motor based on vehicle speed. (Their system is especially aimed at series hybrids....but the concept seems applicable to any motor-driven vehicle.)
This would be an enormous benefit in terms of eliminating a complex piece of machinery from the car while also getting rid of a big efficiency robber. It also makes sense--a well-constructed electric motor should be able to rotate at whatever speed you need to deliver the required torque/speed within a reasonable envelope. It will be interesting to see if any other carmakers can take this approach. The transmission is an area of the car that does not yet come up often in public discussions of electric cars.
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BLBdriver 4:13PM (6/23/2008)
Tesla Roadster transmission issues: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/112_0803_2008_tesla_roadster/transmission.html
http://www.thedeal.com/techconfidential/behind-the-money/blog/behind-the-money/no-rest-for-the-weary-or-for-t.php
Chorus Motors Meshcon drive: http://www.choruscars.com/simplicity.shtml
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BLBdriver 4:14PM (6/23/2008)
Tesla Roadster transmission issues: http://www.motortrend.com/roadtests/alternative/112_0803_2008_tesla_roadster/transmission.html
Chorus Motors Meshcon drive: http://www.choruscars.com/simplicity.shtml
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CM 6:04PM (6/24/2008)
This new "powershift" is an improvement over older manual transmissions, and a good rival for other dual clutch designs. Ironically, Ford already has a simpler and more reliable design for their hybrids that has infinite gears and no clutches, which makes me wonder how long it will last.
As for BLBdriver hyping the "Chorus Motors Meshcon", I checked the site and was not particularly impressed, as Chorus misrepresented how split path hybrid like the Prius operate, and misunderstood the reason why the Prius engine must turn at speeds above 45 mph. With their long list of vaguely worded patents, I suspect Chorus might be planning to sue GM for patent infringement once the Volt becomes successful, much like the bogus patent suit Solomon filed against Toyota.
The Chorus "Meshcon" is a complex polyphase induction motor with 5 to 15 phases. By changing the phase relation it can effectively redirect the current flow for different voltages. Clever, but it is questionable whether any improvements in performance justify the additional complications and wiring it requires.
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Second Opinion 11:30PM (6/23/2008)
No doubt the new transmission technologies will improve fuel economy. Still, I doubt that many standard shift enthusiasts will switch to Powershift trannies.
The fun in shifting is the interactivity between man and machine. Well, except when you get too much of it, as in stop and go driving.
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nagmashot 8:40AM (6/24/2008)
this is nothing new..the Ford focus is already sold with powershift tranny in Germany.. perhaps Autoblog authors should realize that Fords europen HQ is in Germany Cologne not in the UK.. if Ford offers something new in Europe it is always first time avaible in Germany, the powershift dual clutch is from Getrag like the one in the e90 and e92 M3..
Autobild already made a compare between powershift and DSG...
http://www.autobild.de/artikel/ford-focus-powershift_vw-golf-dsg_714109.html
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Raymond 8:44AM (8/02/2008)
I wonder is the Powershift unit small enough to work with the next-generation Ford Fiesta. I'd love to see it on the US-market Fiesta when that arrives in early calendar 2010.
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