Ford’s new high-tech automatic transmission: fuel economy of a manual gearbox

By: Peter Chubb | June 23, 2008

As an owner of a Ford Mondeo I seem to get a lot of stick from my father and brother, as they both own BMW’s. They seem to think that BMW are better in every way, but I have to say that Ford build great cars and use a number of great technologies, much like a BMW. Ford announced not so long ago that they were to launch the new PowerShift high-tech automatic transmission; this new system has the fuel economy of a manual gearbox.

These new gearboxes are as light and sporty as a manual gearbox, but have the efficiency of a six-speed manual with the convenience of an auto. We have just learned that the Ford Focus and C-MAX are to use the new PowerShift system. This new lightweight transmission uses the latest electronically-controlled twin-clutch technology to change gear; as a result there is no need for complex and weighty sub-systems such as torque converter or planetary gears of regular auto boxes.

So we know that PowerShift is efficient, but it is also very simple to use and has a sporty personality. When shifting up and down through the gears, you will notice that the changes are made much faster than any standard automatic transmission; changes are also faster than anyone could do with a manual gearbox.

The new Co2 laws have always been against cars with automatic transmission as they produce more emissions than a car with a manual gearbox. However; the new PowerShift system gives the cars a lower Co2 rating, so you will get more to the gallon, and in the UK the road fund license will also be much cheaper.

Source – Press Release

By: Peter Chubb | Filed under: Autos

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READ MORE: Ford C-Max, Ford Focus, Ford PowerShift, Transmission

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