Motor Authority - blog Tag: Automatic

Autonomous engine stop-start systems, designed to save fuel by turning off a car’s engine when at a standstill, are increasing in popularity, especially in Europe, where fuel prices are often double what they are here. In many cases, the addition of an engine stop-start system can net fuel savings in the range of 5-10%.

The limiting factor for their widespread use so far has been that they are mostly available with manual transmissions only (not including hybrid vehicles). This trend is starting to change, however. Early last year, German transmission specialist ZF showed off a new eight-speed automatic designed with engine stop-start...

Autonomous engine stop-start systems, designed to save fuel by turning off a car’s engine when at a standstill, are increasing in popularity, especially in Europe, where fuel prices are often double what they are here. In many cases, the addition of an engine stop-start system can net fuel savings in the range of 5-10%. The limiting factor for their widespread use so far has been that they are mostly available with manual transmissions only (not including hybrid vehicles). This trend is starting to change, however. Early last year, German transmission specialist ZF showed off a new eight-speed automatic designed with engine stop-start capability. Now, Audi has announced that its A3 with a S tronic dual-clutch transmission is now available with an engine stop-start system. The only models so far with this feature are the highly-efficient 1.6-liter TDI and 1.4-liter TFSI. The start-stop system turns the engine off as soon as the vehicle comes to a stop; the engine stays off as long as the driver depresses the brake pedal. As soon as the driver removes their foot from the brake pedal, start-stop turns the engine back on--quietly, conveniently and quickly. According to Audi, the 1.6-liter TDI with the S tronic and engine stop-start system achieves a fuel economy of 56 mpg while the 1.4-liter TFSI gets 44 mpg. Also standard in both A3 models is an on-board energy-recovery system. During braking and coasting phases, this intelligently controls the alternator to recover energy, which is temporarily stored in the battery. This energy is then fed back into the electrical system during acceleration--thus reducing the load on the alternator. First sales will start this November. Read More

German gearbox specialist ZF unveiled an 8-speed automatic gearbox at the Vienna Motor Symposium back in 2007 but this was just the first of a raft of advanced technologies the company is planning for the coming years. The addition of these new features are claimed to be able to improve fuel-economy by 18% on gasoline-powered vehicles and 30% on hybrids, and we should be seeing the first of these technologies as early as the 2010 model year.

The information comes from ZF vice president of corporate research Harald Naunheimer, who spoke recently with Automotive News. He said pushing the improvements are lighter materials, more efficient... German gearbox specialist ZF unveiled an 8-speed automatic gearbox at the Vienna Motor Symposium back in 2007 but this was just the first of a raft of advanced technologies the company is planning for the coming years. The addition of these new features are claimed to be able to improve fuel-economy by 18% on gasoline-powered vehicles and 30% on hybrids, and we should be seeing the first of these technologies as early as the 2010 model year. The information comes from ZF vice president of corporate research Harald Naunheimer, who spoke recently with Automotive News. He said pushing the improvements are lighter materials, more efficient electrical systems that replace heavier mechanical ones and transmissions with more gears. Naunheimer revealed that the new 8-speed automatic alone can improve overall vehicle fuel economy by 6% compared to current six-speeds. Additionally, an electrical power steering can boost fuel economy by 2 to 3% over current hydraulic systems, while an electric active roll stabilizer saves another 1 to 2%, he said. The savings don’t end there as ZF has also developed an engine stop-start system for its automatic gearboxes that improves fuel economy by up to 5%, while a light-weight AWD transfer case and fuel-efficient axles that use new bearings and technology to reduce friction can boost fuel savings 1 to 1.5% each. "You'll see these all these technologies on 2010 models," he said. As with any new technology in the auto industry, the first cars packed with the new features are usually flagship luxury models and it will be no different with the latest ZF gear. BMW will be one of the first automakers to launch a vehicle with ZF’s new 8-speed auto, but given the desperation of most automakers for improved fuel-economy we could be seeing most of these technologies filter to mainstream makes very soon. Read More

Maserati officials have confirmed the convertible version of the GranTurismo will arrive in showrooms by March of next year and now we have a few new details about the car, which is expected to go by the name GranTurismo Spyder.

Maserati is yet to reveal if the car will sport a traditional canvas roof or a new hard-top, but according to most sources it will come with a conventional soft-top in order to keep weight as low as possible. The latest spy shots and renderings below give us a good indication as to what the final styling may look like.

The new Spyder is also expected to be priced from $130,000 in the U.S., pitting it perfectly... Maserati officials have confirmed the convertible version of the GranTurismo will arrive in showrooms by March of next year and now we have a few new details about the car, which is expected to go by the name GranTurismo Spyder. Maserati is yet to reveal if the car will sport a traditional canvas roof or a new hard-top, but according to most sources it will come with a conventional soft-top in order to keep weight as low as possible. The latest spy shots and renderings below give us a good indication as to what the final styling may look like. The new Spyder is also expected to be priced from $130,000 in the U.S., pitting it perfectly against rivals like the Mercedes Benz SL, Aston Martin Vantage Roadster, BMW M6 Cabrio, and Jaguar XKR Convertible. In keeping with its premium status the Spyder will likely come standard with the new 434hp 4.7L V8 engine from the more recent GranTurismo S. This means it will likely get Maserati’s new automatic gearbox (as opposed to the previous automated manual) and a Brembo brake package as standard. Performance will likely be down on its hard-top sibling, however, as the Spyder will require extra reinforcements due to its missing roof. Remember, the regular GranTurismo already weighs in excess of 1,800kg so the extra weight of this reinforcement plus the automated folding roof system could easily push the drop-top past the two ton barrier.Preview: 2010 Maserati GranTurismo Convertible2011 Maserati GranTurismo Spyder spy shots Read More

While many doubted BMW was going to add a V12 option to its new 7-series, the carmaker has today unveiled its flagship saloon powered by a brand new twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder engine. The V12 engine option also sees the 7-series fitted with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, although the new self-shifter is expected to filter across to more BMW models within coming years.

As for the engine, the unit has been developed completely new from the ground up and is rated at 536hp (400kW) and 553lb-ft (750Nm) of torque. Importantly, this peak torque is available from a low 1,500rpm. This achieved with the full gamut of BMW’s latest... While many doubted BMW was going to add a V12 option to its new 7-series, the carmaker has today unveiled its flagship saloon powered by a brand new twin-turbocharged 12-cylinder engine. The V12 engine option also sees the 7-series fitted with a ZF eight-speed automatic transmission, although the new self-shifter is expected to filter across to more BMW models within coming years. As for the engine, the unit has been developed completely new from the ground up and is rated at 536hp (400kW) and 553lb-ft (750Nm) of torque. Importantly, this peak torque is available from a low 1,500rpm. This achieved with the full gamut of BMW’s latest engine technology, including twin-turbocharging, direct-injection and double-VANOS camshaft adjustment. No independent testing has been completed but according to BMW’s own numbers the V12 powers the 7-series from 0-62mph in less than 4.6 seconds, while also returning a respectable 18mpg (13L/100km) fuel economy for the European cycle. In determining the cars’ fuel consumption, BMW engineers already took the stricter EU5 emission standard into account, meaning fuel consumption is down by approximately 4.5% versus the former model. Standard features include damping control and roll stability, as well as self-leveling air suspension on the long-wheelbase model, and optional active steering. Other safety features include lane-change and lane-departure warning systems, active cruise control, night vision, heads-up-display, reversing camera, and adaptive headlights.2009 BMW 7-seriesBMW 760i and long-wheelbase 760Li Read More

Bowing to customer demand, Maserati will finally add an automatic transmission to its stunning GranTurismo S. The ZF-sourced six-speeder is already available in the standard GranTurismo and will be sold alongside the existing Cambiocorsa electro-actuated manual in the sportier GranTurismo S. The photos of the car revealed today show there is little difference in the cockpit, aside from the new gear selector.

The gearbox software has been upgraded to handle the extra grunt from the 440hp (323kW) 4.7L V8 but the unit is claimed to be smooth and responsive to any changes applied to the accelerator pedal. The quick shifts are improved thanks to... Bowing to customer demand, Maserati will finally add an automatic transmission to its stunning GranTurismo S. The ZF-sourced six-speeder is already available in the standard GranTurismo and will be sold alongside the existing Cambiocorsa electro-actuated manual in the sportier GranTurismo S. The photos of the car revealed today show there is little difference in the cockpit, aside from the new gear selector. The gearbox software has been upgraded to handle the extra grunt from the 440hp (323kW) 4.7L V8 but the unit is claimed to be smooth and responsive to any changes applied to the accelerator pedal. The quick shifts are improved thanks to upgrades also found in the Quattroporte GT-S, which eliminates the problematic 'kick-down' in manual mode. The new automatic GranTurismo S will make its world debut at next month’s Geneva Motor Show. Later in the year Maserati will add a new Spyder convertible GranTursimo to its lineup and there is also a rumor that there will be sportier GT S variant as well. No changes are planned for the Cambiocorsa electro-actuated manual. For those unfamiliar with the unit, it features a twin disc clutch and triple cone synchronizer on the first and second gears and a double cone on the other gears. The transmission can be used in two ways: manual and automatic. Manual mode is for those who prefer a sportier, more involving driving experience with gear changes only made if the driver requests them in order to fully unlock the car’s performance. In either mode, however, gear transitions are nowhere near as smooth as a regular automatic. The exterior of the car also gets a few unique touches for the eagle-eyed enthusiast to spot: more prominent under-door sills, unique 20in Trident-design wheels.Maserati GranTurismo 'S'Maserati GranTurismo S AutomaticMaserati GranTurismo S driving footage Read More

BMW will soon be offering a new eight-speed automatic transmission developed by ZF that is set to appear first in the 7-series flagship saloon. The new transmission is said to be both more fuel-efficient and cheaper to manufacture than the current six-speed unit, and its performance is also claimed to be comparable with the more advanced seven-speed dual-clutch unit launched last year in the M3.

Speaking with Automotive News, BMW development chief Klaus Draeger said the luxury carmaker plans to focus on automatic transmissions instead of dual-clutch units for its high-volume models.

“The eight-speed automatic that we developed with... BMW will soon be offering a new eight-speed automatic transmission developed by ZF that is set to appear first in the 7-series flagship saloon. The new transmission is said to be both more fuel-efficient and cheaper to manufacture than the current six-speed unit, and its performance is also claimed to be comparable with the more advanced seven-speed dual-clutch unit launched last year in the M3. Speaking with Automotive News, BMW development chief Klaus Draeger said the luxury carmaker plans to focus on automatic transmissions instead of dual-clutch units for its high-volume models. “The eight-speed automatic that we developed with ZF can compete with dual-clutch transmissions on shifting times, but it’s lighter and more efficient and has cost advantages,” he revealed. “The incompatibility with high engine-speed designs is a disadvantage, however.” Draeger went on to explain that dual-clutch transmissions are complex, expensive and heavy, especially for cars with longitudinally mounted engines and RWD. ZF’s new eight-speed auto, meanwhile, has been designed for both RWD and AWD cars and will appear in several BMW and Audi models later this year. The extra cogs have the added benefit of improved fuel economy because the gearbox can better match engine speeds with the right gear since there’s more to choose from. To further enhance fuel-economy, the new ZF gearbox will also have an engine stop-start feature. Using BMW’s own vehicle test data, ZF has found that the transmissions achieves a fuel economy benefit of 3% for gasoline engines and 6% for diesel engines over its current six-speed auto. Both the first and second generation gearboxes will be built at ZF’s Saarbrucken plant in Germany with half of these earmarked for use in BMW vehicles. Read More