Transmissions
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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...
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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...
Bengt Halvorson -
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.
Kurt Ernst -
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.
Nelson Ireson -
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...
Antony Ingram -
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...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
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...
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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
Bengt Halvorson -
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.
Nelson Ireson -
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.
Nelson Ireson -
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...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
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...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
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...
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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...
Nelson Ireson -
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...
Nelson Ireson -
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...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran -
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...
Viknesh Vijayenthiran