smart gearbox: light at the end of the tunnel?

[WilyB]

Ford announces new dual-clutch transmission.

Looking to wring as much fuel economy as possible out of its upcoming new small cars--we’re talking the Fiesta and Focus here--Ford will equipment them with a new six-speed, dry-plate, dual-clutch transmission, called PowerShift.

The dual-clutch unit acts like an automatic transmission, handling the shifting duties for the driver, yet has the internals of a manual transmission.

This means that Ford’s new transmission is lighter--30 pounds less than the four-speed automatic in the current Focus, Ford says--and doesn’t require a torque converter or hydraulic pump.

The dual clutch’s shift changes are quick, with virtually no power lag between the gears. Also, there’s a manual mode for drivers who want the thrill of commanding gear changes on their own, without the need to work a clutch pedal.

The transmission will also shift into neutral when the car is decelerating to boost fuel economy, and it will have hill-holding technology to prevent that little backward roll that manual transmission drivers get used to.

Ford worked with Getrag to develop the transmission.

Ford announces new dual-clutch transmission - AutoWeek Magazine

If Ford and Getrag can make it, I am sure smart and Getrag can do it too!

[jediknight36]

I thought MB and Getrag werent buddies anymore...

[p1nball]

Originally Posted by WilyB

Ford announces new dual-clutch transmission.



Ford announces new dual-clutch transmission - AutoWeek Magazine

If Ford and Getrag can make it, I am sure smart and Getrag can do it too!

Go to this link, chrysler WAS first on that ITEM:Allpar search results
enjoy,
p1nball

[Neonspinnazz]

... I usually turn on my lights in a tunnel, so I don't have to worry about the end ...

The gearbox getting improved, that will make many happy...

[chieftmc]

Originally Posted by WilyB

Ford announces new dual-clutch transmission.



Ford announces new dual-clutch transmission - AutoWeek Magazine

If Ford and Getrag can make it, I am sure smart and Getrag can do it too!

TRUE, but, that would cause "another" price increase

[SmartTech]

getrag makes the current smart transmission as it is now.

VW has been using that dual clutch trans in some of the gti's, dont know if they are made by getrag though.

[SuperGeek]

Originally Posted by chieftmc

TRUE, but, that would cause "another" price increase

Unless by selling more units in the USA the economy of scale kicks in, dropping the price by a few hundred per unit to compensate. The gearbox is in the top 5 annoyances, and if they smooth it out and keep high MPGs and make it cheap and do all the umpteen other things we demanding customers demand, there will be more demand.

I think I'm dizzy now.

[homeslice]

If Getrag has gone bankrupt, then how will they continue to make transmissions for the Smart fortwo?

Kokomo Tribune; Kokomo, Indiana - Getrag files for bankruptcy over Tipton project

Will Smart put a better transmission without all that lag for a 2010 or 2011 model?

[John_H]

From that article:

The Getrag Transmission Manufacturing LLC bankruptcy filing only covers the Tipton facility and not Getrag’s other North American facilities.

[Padawan]

Originally Posted by SuperGeek

The gearbox is in the top 5 annoyances, and if they smooth it out

For me, the gearbox is actually one of the top 5 fun and unique things about this car, and if smart "smoothed it out" by making it feel more like a traditional automatic, I think the beloved Fortwo would lose quite a bit of its character.

As it stands now, I think the Version 2.0 (2009-spec) program is just about a perfect match for the 3-cylinder Mitsu.