Transmissions

  • ZF 8-speed automatic transmission

    For decades, automatic transmissions had three or four speeds, which were deemed sufficient to provide reasonable acceleration and fuel economy. Then came the five speed automatic, which was standard issue on most cars until just a few years back. Then, the race for more gears in the transmission began in earnest. First it was the six-speed automatic, followed by the seven speed and eight speed automatic. Embraced by Chrysler, ZF will now supply eight-speed (and even nine-speed) transmissions to the automaker for numerous 2013 products. Hyundai even proclaimed it was developing a 10-speed...

  • 2013 Dodge Dart
    2013 Dodge Dart Rallye DDCT: Quick Drive Of Dual-Clutch Automatic

    The 2013 Dodge Dart is one of the most eagerly anticipated models of the new model year—not just because it’s the first model to be developed under pooled Fiat and Chrysler engineering resources, but because it represents a return to form for Dodge compact cars. That said, the Dart is...

  • 2012 Chevrolet Sonic LTZ
    2012 Chevy Sonic Turbo Now Available With An Automatic Transmission

    Chevy's Sonic Turbo, introduced last year with a six-speed manual gearbox, now offers a six-speed automatic transmission option, too.

  • 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 first drive
    Chevy Goes In-Depth On 2012 Camaro ZL1's TapShift Tech: Video

    The 2012 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1's unique pre-staged automatic shifting system gets explained on video.

  • Xtronic CVT, 6th generation  -  for 2013 Nissan Altima
    2013 Nissan Altima Gets New, Responsive CVT Technology

    As the quest for greater fuel efficiency continues, continuously variable transmissions or 'CVTs' are becoming more popular. Nissan has been touting their benefits for several years now on much of its range, allowing drivers to enjoy smooth, stepless progress, fuel efficiency and efficient power...

  • 2011 Jeep Grand Cherokee
    Jeep Grand Cherokee Next In Line To Receive ZF 8-Speed Auto

    Coming as no surprise, Jeep’s Grand Cherokee SUV is reportedly next in line to receive the smooth shifting--and fuel saving--ZF eight-speed automatic transmission filtering its way across Chrysler’s lineup. Already finding a home in the Chrysler 300, as well as some Audi and BMW models...

  • Zeroshift seamless-shift manual gearbox

    British company Zeroshift is developing a revolutionary new transmission that promises to offer faster gearshifts than a dual clutch transmission, which is already blistering quick at eight millisecond shifts, but is also more fuel efficient, lighter and cheaper too. The key is the Zeroshift’s ability to complete seamless instantaneous gear changes without interrupting the engine torque to the wheels. According to its maker, Zeroshift is a simple torque hand-over from one gear to another, governed electronically by a low force automated system. Two drive rings with alternating faces...

  • 2012 Mazda MAZDA3 with SkyActiv
    Mazda Rejects DSGs, Redefines Automatic Transmissions Instead

    According to Mazda, conventional hydraulic automatic transmissions—especially with a smart engineering rethink—are better than CVT or DSG units

  • 2012 Range Rover Sport
    2013 Land Rovers To Get 8-Speed Transmission: Report

    The eight-speed gearbox will get a year of maturation in European markets before being offered for sale in the U.S. When it does come, it will likely bring a new rotary gear selector with it, as well as improved fuel economy figures.

  • Lamborghini Aventador LP700-4
    Lamborghini Killing Manual Transmissions, But Who Cares?

    We don't bemoan the loss of Lamborghini's love for manual transmissions, because they're just so un-Lamborghini to begin with.

  • Audi R8 with possible dual clutch transmission spy shots
    Audi R8 With New Dual Clutch Transmission Spy Shots

    Since the unveiling of the Audi R8 back in late 2006 the iconic supercar has undergone few major changes apart from the introduction of a V-10 model in addition to the original V-8, as well as a drop-top Spyder, which comes with either engine. That doesn’t mean the car is without its...

  • 2011 Cadillac CTS Coupe
    2012 Cadillac CTS 3.6-Liter Range Dropping Six-Speed Manual: Report

    Fans and enthusiasts of the conventional manual gearbox have likely lost another round in the battle being waged by automakers to phase out the clutch pedal in more and more cars. The latest casualty is the 2012 Cadillac CTS, which in 3.6-liter V-6 guise is said to be no longer offering a six-speed...

  • BMW 8-speed transmission

    Most of BMW's EfficientDynamics technologies are pretty sleepy numbers: nearly-invisible aerodynamic tweaks, thermal efficiency improvements, electric power-assist systems, and the like. Some of them, however, are downright fascinating, like the future predictive eight-speed transmission detailed this week. It's not yet ready for production, but BMW says it has reached the advanced development stage with a transmission that can predict and adapt gearshift commands dynamically to the driving situation. What does that mean? The computer gathers inputs from the driver, scans the topology of the...

  • 2011 BMW M5 spy shots
    Next BMW M5 To Be Automatic Only?

    Performance cars are all about performance, except when they're not. In the case of luxury-performance sedans like BMW's M5, there are numerous concessions made to comfort and civility that cost ultimate speed and handling. But the next M5 may make a big concession: no manual transmission, not even...

  • ZF's front-drive 9-speed transmission
    ZF Announces 9-Speed Automatic, We Ask When The Madness Stops

    How many gears does your car have? Have you ever felt it had too few? Well, say hello to the Matt LeBlanc of transmissions, the ZF nine-speed automatic. Feeling inadequate? You should, according to ZF. "Similar to ZF's eight-speed automatic transmission used in rear-drive platforms, the new 9-speed...

  • Bentley gearknob
    Bentley To Adopt Audi S tronic Dual Clutch Transmission

    We already know that Bentley and Audi will share a newly developed 4.0-liter V-8 engine that will debut towards the end of the year in the recently facelifted 2011 Bentley Continental GT and eventually appear in some performance models from Audi. But what we didn’t know is that the S tronic...

  • Ford PowerShift dual clutch transmission
    Ford Starts Production Of PowerShift Dual Clutch Transmission, Debuts In New Fiesta

    In the never-ending pursuit of efficiency, performance and smooth power delivery, the next step forward for many automakers is the adoption of the dual clutch transmission. Once the province of high-end performance cars, dual clutch transmissions have been finding their way into everyday vehicles...

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