Ford officially announces dual clutch PowerShift gearbox for 2010
by Sam Abuelsamid on Jan 21st 2009 at 12:01AM 
The dual clutch gearbox installed in the Lincoln Concept C and Volvo S60 Concept that debuted at the Detroit Auto Show is now officially coming to Ford's lineup. The Getrag-supplied PowerShift gearbox was hinted at on the Fiesta micro-site that Ford recently launched and will be available in the new sub-compact when it launches at the end of the year. Like the DSG units used in a number of Volkswagens, the PowerShift allows full automatic control or clutchless manual shifting. Ford's first PowerShift is already available in the current European Focus with a 2.0L diesel engine. That unit is a wet-clutch system like most of the current VW DSG boxes. The new unit set to debut in the Fiesta is a dry-clutch system that's both lighter and more efficient. The 6-speed PowerShift weighs 30 lbs less than the 4-speed automatic currently offered in the U.S.-market Focus and should deliver 9-percent better fuel economy. The official press release is pasted after the jump.
[Source: Ford]
PRESS RELEASE:
FORD TO INTRODUCE FUEL-EFFICIENT DUAL-CLUTCH POWERSHIFT TRANSMISSION IN NORTH AMERICA IN 2010
DETROIT, Jan. 21, 2009 – Ford Motor Company announced today it will introduce an advanced dual-clutch PowerShift six-speed transmission in North America in 2010 for the small-car segment.
PowerShift will deliver the fuel efficiency of a manual gearbox with the convenience and ease of a premium automatic transmission – making it a key enabling technology as Ford targets best-in-class or among-the-best fuel economy with every new vehicle it introduces in North America.
"PowerShift represents a true competitive advantage for Ford and is one of the many technologies that will help our global small-car platforms set a new world standard for efficiency and drive quality," said Barb Samardzich, vice president, Global Powertrain Engineering, who announced PowerShift's production timing at the 2009 Automotive News World Congress. "This advanced six-speed is an improvement over today's automatic transmissions in terms of fuel economy, while providing customers an even more fun-to-drive experience."
Overall, Ford has committed that almost 100 percent of its transmissions will be advanced six-speed gearboxes by 2013. Six-speed transmissions already have helped vehicles such as the 2010 Ford Fusion achieve best-in-class fuel economy, while at the same time allowing the Ford Flex and Ford Escape to achieve unsurpassed fuel economy in their respective segments.
Ford is leveraging six-speed transmissions, advanced internal combustion engines such as EcoBoost, hybrids, full electric vehicles, vehicle weight reduction and electric power-assisted steering to improve fuel economy and reduce greenhouse gas emissions fleet-wide by 30 percent by 2020.
Automatic Comfort
Compared to traditional automatic four-speed transmissions, PowerShift can help reduce fuel consumption by up to 9 percent depending on the application.
PowerShift provides the full comfort of an automatic with a more sophisticated driving dynamic, thanks to uninterrupted torque from the dual-clutch technology, which consists essentially of two manual transmissions working in parallel, each with its own independent clutch unit. One clutch carries the uneven gears – 1, 3 and 5 – while the other the even gears – 2, 4 and 6. Subsequent gear changes are coordinated between both clutches as they engage and disengage for a seamless delivery of torque to the wheels.
In Europe, Ford currently offers a PowerShift transmission in the Ford Focus. This PowerShift uses a twin wet-clutch system to handle the higher torque levels of the 2.0-liter TDCI engine available in the Focus.
In North America, a dry-clutch derivative of Ford's PowerShift transmission will be used for added efficiency and durability. A dry clutch transmits power and torque through manual transmission clutch facings, while most automatic transmissions utilize wet clutch plates submerged in oil. As a result, the dry-clutch PowerShift transmission does not require an oil pump or torque converter, providing superior mechanical efficiency.
"A dry clutch is a real sweet spot for lighter vehicle applications," said Piero Aversa, manager, Ford Automatic Transmission Engineering. "PowerShift is more efficient, it saves weight, is more durable, more efficient and the unit is sealed for life, requiring no regular maintenance."
PowerShift, unlike conventional automatic transmissions, does not need the heavier torque converter or planetary gears. In addition, the dry-clutch derivative eliminates the need for the weighty pumps, hydraulic fluids, cooling lines and external coolers that wet clutch transmissions require. As a result, the dry-clutch PowerShift transmission can weigh nearly 30 pounds less than, for example, the four-speed automatic transmission featured on today's Ford Focus.
Differentiating PowerShift even further in terms of its customer appeal is its shift quality, launch feel and overall drive dynamic, which are all facilitated by an expert blend of Ford-exclusive electro-mechanical systems, software features, calibrations and controls. These unique driving features include:
• Neutral coast down – The clutches will disengage when the brakes are applied, improving coasting downshifts and clutch robustness as well as reducing parasitic losses for increased fuel economy.
• Precise clutch control in the form of a clutch slip to provide torsional damping of the engine vibration – This function improves noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) at low engine speeds and enables lower lugging limits for improved fuel economy.
• Low-speed driving or creep mode with integrated brake pressure – This function simulates the low-speed control drivers are accustomed to from an automatic transmission. The amount of rolling torque in Drive and Reverse is precisely controlled, gradually building as brake pressure is released.
• Hill mode or launch assist – Prevents a vehicle from rolling back on a grade by maintaining brake pressure until the engine delivers enough torque to move the vehicle up the hill, providing improved driver confidence, comfort, safety and clutch robustness.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 3)
zamafir 12:04AM (1/21/2009)
Only half a decade late but.... AWESOME, this and ecoboost will place ford squarely against some of their strongest rivals. They've really got their heads on straight over there.
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Mike 12:35AM (1/21/2009)
Half a decade late?
Besides VW, what other mainstream auto maker is putting dual clutch boxes in their cars? Mitsu and Nissan, and only in their highest performing vehicles that cost nearly 40k and 80k respectively.
So yeah, I could see the bitching if your Corolla or Civic has them but not the Focus, but since most of Ford's actual competition doesn't have them yet, I'd say they're ahead of the curve.
zamafir 12:39AM (1/21/2009)
Ford's not limiting itself to honda and toyota, if it was we wouldn't be seeing a 355hp ecoboost v6 making the rounds in a host of vehicles, nor would we see ford bringing driver focused european models to north america. Get with the program, Ford's going to be gunning for more than simply Honda/Toyota sales.
But you're right, save VW who's been making a name recently pioneering technology, everyone else is late to this party.
John 1:23AM (1/21/2009)
So, what else is the Fiesta going to compete with, aside from Fit, Yaris, Versa, Aveo and maybe the Polo if VW ever gets it here, which is the only one that might offer DSG in the near future? Ford is leapfrogging most of its competition with this, how you say its behind the curve is beyond me. Others had it first, but Ford is the first to use it in a highly-affordable subcompact (in the US). Starting at the bottom and working its way up, without a doubt.
Judy Zik 12:24PM (1/21/2009)
@ zamafir
Time machine much?
Personally I am amazed at the level of technology coming out of Ford. A couple of years ago I can remember looking at their R&D spending and their lineup and wondering wtf. Now we are starting to see what they were up to. It is really starting to look like Ford is about to leap frog past the competition in the next 24 months when it comes to the mainstream models that people are actually going to buy. A pretty smart move that should net them a heck of a lot more money in the bank than a halo project like the Volt or some EV pie in the sky.
firstplace 5:13PM (1/21/2009)
BMW, AUDI also have DSG like transmissions.
TomdeTomTom 6:55PM (1/22/2009)
Seriously. It seems ever since the recession started hitting hard in October, Ford has been so roll after roll with this dual-clutch, the implementation of eco-boost in models two months away from showrooms, the Fusion, the Taurus, several Lincolns, etc.
I like the leaner meaner Ford. Toyota better keep their eyes open, Ford's quietly powering up. By 2010, they will be a force of new tech to be reckoned with on the road.
Berto 12:08AM (1/21/2009)
As long as someone does not think its is a wise or "cool" idea to put this in a mustang...
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Berto 12:09AM (1/21/2009)
By "this" I mean flappy paddles.
The Mustang is all about manual gear shifts and clutches... please don't take that away!
pmiddle5 12:33AM (1/21/2009)
Soo....Automatics are ok, but this isnt????
Full manuals will still be an option so I dont get why this is bad. Isnt it one hell of an upgrade above something with a torque converter?...
zamafir 12:40AM (1/21/2009)
This will defiantly make it into the mustang, and eventually damn near everything. DSG has been offering better fuel economy and performance than manual for over half a decade now, as costs come down it makes more and more sense to do away with traditional automatic transmissions.
DKB_SATX 10:35AM (1/21/2009)
Careful that you don't make assertions based on incomplete data there... The majority of Mustangs sold are V6+automatic. I am a VERY strong proponent of manual transmissions, but it's ignoring reality to say that Mustangs are ALL about manual transmissions.
Jared 11:24AM (1/21/2009)
Berto:
The reality is that vast majority of Mustangs are sold with an automatic transmission. If they can make it smooth enough at low speeds and light throttle, the DSG will be a fine replacement for the automatic transmission.
firstplace 5:16PM (1/21/2009)
eventually they wont mke traditional manual's or automatics, just CVT's and DSG's..and electric.
Berto 6:32PM (1/21/2009)
You're right, this will be a huge improvement from the traditional automatics, especially on the V6.
I just live in this fantasy world where every mustang sold is a V8 with a manual... haha
Chris 12:48PM (1/22/2009)
If you think there are warranty issues in the GTR...wait til a Mustang gets one of these girly DSG's. Mustang drivers, like myself, tend to be hard on their drivetrains and if there is a launch control option it won't be long before its in the shop.
These transmissions still aren't as much fun, and besides, after driving the both versions of the BMW 335i and the VW GTI, I can clearly make the manuals go faster...especially from the line. Maybe I don't know how to drive the DSG or equivalent transmissions....but I didn't think you had to know how to drive one of those.
Stephen 4:44PM (1/21/2009)
With all these cars now/going to use Getrag trannies, maybe they (Getrag) can still use the mostly built plant in Tipton.
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panoz racing 12:12AM (1/21/2009)
like the 911?
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TurboPanzer 12:15AM (1/21/2009)
I can haz launch control?
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Torrent 12:20AM (1/21/2009)
HELL TO THE NAW