[RH77]

Another observation about Ford -- I just drove about 900 miles in the 2010 Fusion SE Auto. Great car by the way (good FE too... more on that later).

The transmission acts the same as the 1st-Gen, but with a 6-speed instead of 5. The strange thing:

Shifting to neutral coast at high speeds forces the engine RPM to remain where the final gear would be when you shift it back. So, it stays at 2500, in neutral for example, coasting at 70. So then, you shift back to D, and the revs are matched, already. My guess is that the TC is very involved with economical operation and free-wheels a bit.

Now, if you shut down the engine and coast, it doesn't like it all. It groans and generates a burnt smell. That was done once and that's it.

One nitpick: the old 5-speed had PRNDL only -- so "L" functioned as 3rd, 2nd, and 1st when it felt like it. Now, the 6-speed has an OD-off button that has a picture of a car going down a hill instead of an overdrive or gear reference. Shifting from 6th to 5th doesn't do a whole lot -- then we're back to PRNDL and 3 gears of mystery engagement.

RH77