Ford claims new 6spd increases FE up to 9%

[Tygen1]

Picture and text taken from: 2009 Ford PowerShift 6-Speed Double Clutch Trans Car Review and Specs | 2009 Ford PowerShift 6-Speed Double Clutch Trans Car Wallpaper Pictures Pics

The PowerShift transmission is a development of GETRAG-Ford Transmissions GmbH, a 50:50 GETRAG/Ford joint venture.

GETRAG-Ford PowerShift technology is intelligent and revolutionary in its operation. To explain, the six-speed PowerShift transmission consists essentially of two layshaft transmissions working in parallel, each with its own clutch unit. The layout of the intermediate shafts – one carries the uneven gears 1, 3 and 5 whilst the other carries the even gears 2, 4 and 6 – allows the next gear to be pre-selected whilst the vehicle is in motion and the engine is at full power.

With the next gear pre-selected, the gear change occurs through the opposed activation of both clutches. The double-clutch activations are co-ordinated such that no torque interruption occurs.

In contrast to a conventional automatic transmission, the basic technical configuration of the GETRAG-Ford PowerShift transmission offers numerous advantages. It does not require any complex sub-systems such as a torque converter, planetary gear sets, multiple wet clutches and multiple bands – all of which significantly reduce the efficiency of a conventional automatic transmission due to increased inertia and drag torque effects.

The result is impressive: the PowerShift transmission provides the ease of operation and permanent motion of a conventional automatic transmission as well as the driving performance of a manual gearbox.

It also delivers quick and sporty shifts while maintaining a high degree of shift smoothness and refinement. A further advantage of the GETRAG-Ford PowerShift transmission is its high torque capacity and free choice of ratios, making it an ideal partner of modern high performance diesel engines.

The GETRAG-Ford PowerShift transmission technology is available in Europe, Australia and ASEAN markets in the new Ford Focus TDCi in combination with the 100kW, 320Nm 2.0-litre Duratorq TDCi turbodiesel engine.

In this combination, GETRAG-Ford PowerShift offers the win-win advantage of improved performance and reduced fuel consumption compared with a conventional automatic transmission. Plus, it is fun to drive.

[Peter7307]

The Getrag box is similar to VW groups DSG arrangement mechanically although I suggest the electronics are probably new and upgraded.

By the way the DSG set up is NOT new despite claims to the contrary.
It was first used around WW I and was invented by an Englishman named Wilson and called a "pre-selector" gearbox. I recall seeing one with the covers off in a military museum a few years ago from one of the earliest tanks.
I can also recall the AEC buses of the 1950's (and they were old when I rode in them in the 1960's) having the same gearboxes.

Pete.

[Thymeclock]

Originally Posted by Daox

Apparently they are using a 6 speed manual and a 6 speed automatic. The article only claims that the auto gets the 9% though. From the rest of the article though, the new Focus is shaping up to be a nice car.

9% of WHAT?

9% more than estimated EPA figures that can be inflated 10% more in any given year?

[Piwoslaw]

Originally Posted by 99LeCouch

Any of us with a manual could still slay the automatic's FE around town. Steady-state highway cruising is where it may have an advantage. You can't beat the FE of engine-off, though!

That's exactly why these new 'eco' autos seem to be better than manuals: most people don't pay as much attention to theirs gears as we do, so they don't mind riding around with high rpms or not using engine braking, let alone P&G or EOC. The eco versions of certain models have arrows in the dashboard that tell the driver when to shift for better FE. The eco auto does this by bypassing the driver altogether. Ecodrivers do this my thinking while driving.

[Frank Lee]

Still seems to be an awful lots of whirring parts in it vs. a m/t, especially a 3, 4, or 5 speed m/t.

In the '80s the "eco-versions" (yes, they did exist! ) had 4-speed m/ts while regular m/ts were 5 speed. Less shifting, fewer whirring parts, probably taller top ratio too.

[basjoos]

Even with freewheel coasting available from the automatic, as long as the gear ratios between the automatic and manual are the same, intelligent driving techniques will allow you to squeeze better mileage from manual. Unless they have changed the programming from that of the typical automatic, you're still going to have the problem of the automatic revving too high in each gear before shifting to the next when you accellerate at 70%-80% throttle, so you can't get the fuel efficient high load/low rpm acceleration condition that is easy to optain with a manual.

[Tygen1]

Agreed that it won't be as effcient a someone useing a mtx to do high load low rpm shifting. It's a great step forward for the masses though, and exciting to me as an ATX driver suffering from torque converter slip, delayed shifts, etc...
I beleive the 9% figure is comparing it to a regular automatic transmission. Which makes this new ATX equal to the MTX in mpg ratings. Which helps raise Fords corprate average because most folks buy the ATX and they plan on putting this trans in pretty much all their cars by 2013. Stategery, to quote a fine sourthern gentalman

[Christ]

I agree with the step forward comment. Unfortunately, as much as we might like everyone to learn the ways of the Church of Ecomodder, it's not going to happen. There are far more new, uneducated, careless drivers added every day than we could even begin to hope to get across to. While it's a great idea to make the driver more efficient, the car is the starting point, and that's what it's gotta be.

You also have to account for the people who simply aren't willing to change their driving style - and there are lots of them - who could really care less about being efficient, they just do what they do. For those people, the only option is to make their vehicle more efficient. While more efficient vehicles aren't an answer right now, due to "rollout times", all of our really old vehicles will eventually become obsolete... and then the vehicles that we consider "new" will be 20 and 30 years old, and maybe, if properly maintained, will be recycled and still running at that point.

Either that, or more people will go broke trying to run their junkers into the ground, and be forced to walk. I'd prefer the latter. More room on the road for me to not have to slow down around curves and such.

[cfg83]

Tygen1 -

I can't find the article on the Internet, but I read this on page 14 of the November 2009 Automobile magazine :

Front-wheel-drive BMWs planned

... 170 hp will be paired with a six-speed manual transmission or a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission

Dual clutch implies (to me) a similar tranny to the Ford design. Maybe the same to $ave money?

CarloSW2

[Christ]

Originally Posted by cfg83

Tygen1 -

I can't find the article on the Internet, but I read this on page 14 of the November 2009 Automobile magazine :

Front-wheel-drive BMWs planned


Dual clutch implies (to me) a similar tranny to the Ford design. Maybe the same to $ave money?

CarloSW2

MB introduced the 7 speed dual/clutch design a few years ago with their models, too.

It was supposed to be the first 7 speed automatic used in passenger car applications in the same gearbox.

If I understand it correctly, it's actually a 3 speed which works in both directions, and has a variable final gear.

This falls in line with some computer controlled Chrysler transmissions (Jeeps, and someone on this site did it) only needing a TCM upgrade to gain an extra ratio.

It seems that the dual clutch design allows for engagement of a gear before or exactly as another has released, supposedly making shifts more positive and smooth.