Autoblog

The ultimate Aston Martin is only a year old, but it's already getting some updates including a new automatic transmission. The DBS will receive an optional automatic transmission dubbed the TouchTronic 2 for the 2009 model year, a re-engineered version of the ZF six-speed unit equipped in the DB9. Given the DBS' more harder attitude over the DB9, the transmission has been tuned for faster, more aggressive shifts in order to maintain the same acceleration capabilities as the manual transmission version and giving drivers the choice of swapping their own cogs via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. When the situation is more relaxed the driver can enjoy some tunes over the new 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen stereo system. For those inclined to occasionally punish a couple of friends, Aston is now offering a pair of +2 rear seats. The company claims this is at the request of customers, but frankly, customers who make such silly requests should probably be sent elsewhere anyway. The automatic DBS commands a $4,000 premium over the three pedal variant and starts at $273,000.


[Source: Aston Martin]

It's an unconfirmed rumor that Ford's going to make its Super Duty pickups shiftless, but the mere whiff of a reduction in choices is likely set enthusiasts afire with rage. The merits of standard versus automatic transmissions in trucks that routinely tow and generally work hard is a debate for another time, but the real crux of the biscuit comes down to cost. As it stands now, you can get a Power Stroke diesel with a manual for $1500 less than a self-shifter. If Ford removes the standard transmission from its Power Stroke offerings, does that mean that it will pass some of the savings on to consumers by reducing the price of the automatic? Not bloody likely. A more probable scenario would see the price of the Power Stroke option rising.

[Source: Four Wheeler]

The importance of quality parts and strong supplier relations was laid bare for the Ford Motor Company Thursday, as it was forced to hit the red button on five assembly plants (and partially close a sixth) after it learned that of a defective clutch mechanism employed in certain 4-speed automatic transmissions. The costly shutdown idles plants producing F-Series pickups, E-Series vans, Expeditions, and the Lincoln Town Car. 15,000 workers are affected.

No word yet on how many units are affected, or how soon production will resume on these profit-rich vehicles, but an analyst has pegged the shutdown as costing some $34.4 million per day, before taxes.

[Source: Associate Press via Yahoo News; BBC News]
   

Toyota is recalling one half of one percent of the new 2007 Camry sedans it started building this year for a problem with their six-speed automatic transmissions. Affected vehicles may lose second and sixth gear while the vehicle is on the move within the first 500 miles of use, but the automaker says that the problem won't halt operation of the car.

We wonder if this is the same issue we've been reading about on the Cheers & Gears forum? Maybe even-numbered trannys aren't Toyota's thing -- we'll have to wait and see what happens with the eight-speed auto in the new Lexus LS sedan!