Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com Autoblog http://www.blogsmithmedia.com/www.autoblog.com/media/feedlogo.gif Autoblog http://www.autoblog.com en-us Copyright 2009 Weblogs, Inc. The contents of this feed are available for non-commercial use only. Blogsmith http://www.blogsmith.com/<![CDATA[CNET announces nominees for Tech Car of the Year]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/cnet-announces-nominees-for-tech-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/cnet-announces-nominees-for-tech-car-of-the-year/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/12/12/cnet-announces-nominees-for-tech-car-of-the-year/#commentsFiled under: , , , , , ,



About this time last year, Cadillac's CTS added CNET's Tech Car of the Year to its increasingly crowded trophy case. Its entertainment system's recording capability was one of the things that impressed us, and, presumably, the voters. This year, CNET asks its readers to choose between three imports and two domestics, none of which are Cadillacs.

BMW's M3 Convertible DCT gets a spot on the ballot with its dual-clutch transmission. We wonder if the car's recent recall for transmission problems will affect its standing. The Nissan GT-R shows up again, as you might expect with its cabin full of g-whiz electronics, from the in-dash performance computer to the quick-loading navigation. Lincoln makes the list for its THX-equipped MKS and Infiniti's EX35 Journey gets recognized for its lane-departure warning system and park-assist cameras.

The biggest surprise, though, is the Dodge Ram 1500 Laramie. The pachyderm-sized pickup impressed the CNET judges with its UConnect multimedia system which includes a 30GB hard drive, Bluetooth hands-free system, SIRIUS TV and rear seat DVD player.

The winner will be announced the second week of January to coincide with the Consumer Electronics Show in Vegas.

[Source: CNET]

CNET announces nominees for Tech Car of the Year originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 12 Dec 2008 08:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmw dctbmw m3BmwDctBmwM3cadillac ctsCadillacCtscnetcnet tech carCnetTechCardctdodge ramdodge ram 1500DodgeRamDodgeRam1500gt-rinfiniti ex35infiniti ex35 modelo 2008InfinitiEx35InfinitiEx35Modelo2008lincoln mksLincolnMksm3 convertiblem3 dctM3ConvertibleM3Dctmksnissan gt-rNissanGt-rskyline gt-rSkylineGt-rtech car of the yearTechCarOfTheYearFri, 12 Dec 2008 08:28:00 EST<![CDATA[BMW M3 recalled over new double-clutch gearbox]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/20/bmw-m3-recalled-over-new-double-clutch-gearbox/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/20/bmw-m3-recalled-over-new-double-clutch-gearbox/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/20/bmw-m3-recalled-over-new-double-clutch-gearbox/#commentsFiled under: ,

Dual clutch transmission... sounds complicated. And it is. Case in point: BMW's new DCT on its latest-generation M3. This new transmission from Munich is so complicated that apparently even BMW couldn't get it right the first time, so they're issuing a recall. The problem, as concluded by the National Highway Traffic Safety Administration, is that under hard braking the transmission's software is prone to initiate a multi-stage downshift, which could cause the car to stall. The solution, however, should be fairly simple, as BMW is asking all owners of 2008 or 2009 M3s equipped with the DCT (about 2,500 in the United States) to come in for a software update, free of charge, at their local dealership. After the software update, M3 owners can perform all the panic stops they want in smooth-shifting bliss.

The official recall notice can be viewed on the NHTSA website. Thanks for the tip, TKE!

Gallery: 2009 BMW M3 Facelift


[Source: Good Car Bad Car]

BMW M3 recalled over new double-clutch gearbox originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 20 Nov 2008 13:58:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwbmw m3bmw m3 dctbmw m3 dct recallbmw m3 recallbmw recallBmwM3BmwM3DctBmwM3DctRecallBmwM3RecallBmwRecalldctdouble clutchDoubleClutchdsgdual clutchdual sequentialDualClutchDualSequentialgearboxrecalltransmissiontwin clutchTwinClutchThu, 20 Nov 2008 13:58:00 EST<![CDATA[Audi S3 and S3 Sportback get S tronic dual-clutch trannies]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/17/audi-s3-and-s3-sportback-get-s-tronic-dual-clutch-trannies/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/17/audi-s3-and-s3-sportback-get-s-tronic-dual-clutch-trannies/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/17/audi-s3-and-s3-sportback-get-s-tronic-dual-clutch-trannies/#commentsFiled under: , , , , ,


Click above for a high-res gallery of the Audi S3 Sportback

Audi's five-door S3 and its Sportback sibling will now be able to benefit from the S tronic dual-clutch transmission. Mated to the 2.0-liter TSFI, you'll seamlessly shift from first all the way to sixth, with 265 hp on tap and 258 lb-ft. available from just 2,500 rpm. You'll also get even better gas mileage, with both cars registering 28 mpg, not to mention hitting sixty two-tenths of a second faster than would with a manual: 5.5 or 5.6 seconds depending on whether you're piloting the three- or five-door. The DCT is available now, and for better gas mileage, quicker shifts, and a quicker car... why wouldn't you?

Gallery: 2009 Audi S3 Sportback

Continue reading Audi S3 and S3 Sportback get S tronic dual-clutch trannies

Audi S3 and S3 Sportback get S tronic dual-clutch trannies originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 18:01:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>audiaudi s3audi s3 s-tronicaudi s3 sportbackaudi s3 sportback s tronicAudiS3AudiS3S-tronicAudiS3SportbackAudiS3SportbackSTroniccar buyingCarBuyingdctdual clutchdual clutch gearboxdual clutch transmissionDualClutchDualClutchGearboxDualClutchTransmissions tronicSTronicMon, 17 Nov 2008 18:01:00 EST<![CDATA[Getrag's U.S. transmission plant files for CH11 after Chrysler pull-out]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/17/getrags-u-s-transmission-plant-files-for-ch11-after-chrysler-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/17/getrags-u-s-transmission-plant-files-for-ch11-after-chrysler-p/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/11/17/getrags-u-s-transmission-plant-files-for-ch11-after-chrysler-p/#commentsFiled under: ,



The roundabout that was the Chrysler, LLC-Getrag partnership recently came to an end with Chrysler pulling out the deal, citing untenable financing terms. Now Getrag Transmission Manufacturing, the U.S. company that was going to build the dual-clutch transmissions for Chrysler, has filed for Chapter 11. Getrag has done so in order to streamline its handling of claims and creditors.

Of course, it's not over: Getrag is suing Chrysler for pulling out, Chrysler is suing Getrag for not getting the $300 million financing that Getrag was supposed to bring to the table. Other than the lawsuits and bad blood, all that's left are the partial remains of the factory that was to build the transmissions, and Chrysler's need to find a source of dual-clutch transmissions. Just another monument to the turmoil the auto industry is currently mired in.

[Source: Automotive News, sub req'd]

Getrag's U.S. transmission plant files for CH11 after Chrysler pull-out originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 17 Nov 2008 15:33:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslerchrysler llcchryslergroupChryslerLlcdctdual clutch transmissionDualClutchTransmissiongetraggetrag transmission manufacturinggetragchryslerGetragTransmissionManufacturinglawsuitsmanufacturingplantsMon, 17 Nov 2008 15:33:00 EST<![CDATA[2009 BMW 3-series to get DCT gearbox]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/2009-bmw-3-series-to-get-dct-gearbox/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/2009-bmw-3-series-to-get-dct-gearbox/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/07/10/2009-bmw-3-series-to-get-dct-gearbox/#commentsFiled under: ,



The 2008 BMW M3 won't be the only 3-series to get Bavaria's newest dual-clutch gearbox. According to documents leaked out of BMW's Australian arm, the 2009 335i coupe will be available with a revised version of the DCT gearbox, at least Down Under... for now. The dual-clutch transmission is the same unit fitted on the V8-powered M3, but some changes to the software are planned to better suit the turbocharged, 3.0-liter inline-six powerplant. There's no word on when the DCT gearbox will be available on U.S. shores and we don't know what kind of premium the seven-speed tranny will carry, but a DCT-equipped M3 commands an additional $2,700 over the six-speed manual, so expect a similar price when the revised 335i goes on sale, likely later this year.

[Source: BimmerFile]

2009 BMW 3-series to get DCT gearbox originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 10 Jul 2008 14:26:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>335ibmwbmw 335i dctBmw335iDctcoupedctdual clutch gearboxDualClutchGearboxm dctMDctThu, 10 Jul 2008 14:26:00 EST<![CDATA[Fiat preparing Dual Dry Clutch transmission]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/28/fiat-preparing-dual-dry-clutch-transmission/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/28/fiat-preparing-dual-dry-clutch-transmission/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/01/28/fiat-preparing-dual-dry-clutch-transmission/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Dual-clutch transmissions are emerging as the latest trend in automotive gearboxes, and the Italians aren't about to miss out on the newest fashion. Fiat announced earlier today a new family of six-speed transmissions, called C635, that will premiere as a manual in June 2009, followed by a dual-clutch version in September 2009 before the automated manual comes out in 2010.

The C635s will be offered on a range of Fiat products including Lancias and Alfa Romeos, and will be capable of handling 35kgm of torque. They'll be built by Fiat Powertrain Technologies at its Verrone plant 75km outside of Turin, handled by a workforce that will more than double to 1100 staff. Called the Dual Dry Clutch (DDC) transmission, Fiat's will follow Volkswagen's seven-speed second-generation DSG (which also switches from wet clutches to lighter-weight dry ones when it debuts on the Golf this month), Volvo's Powershift transmission (due next month) and the BMW M3's new M-DCT (available from March).

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. Req.]

Fiat preparing Dual Dry Clutch transmission originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 28 Jan 2008 15:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>dctddcdsgdual clutchdual dry clutchDualClutchDualDryClutchfiat powetrainFiatPowetrainfptMon, 28 Jan 2008 15:30:00 EST<![CDATA[Torvec targets medium-duty market with new infinitely-variable transmission]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/07/torvec-targets-medium-duty-market-with-new-infinitely-variable-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/07/torvec-targets-medium-duty-market-with-new-infinitely-variable-t/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/08/07/torvec-targets-medium-duty-market-with-new-infinitely-variable-t/#commentsFiled under: , , , ,

Conventional wisdom says that continuously- or infinitely-variable transmissions (CVT and IVT, respectively) are destined to toil away under the hoods of compact cars, but Torvec is having none of it. The manufacturer recently installed its hydraulic-based IVT behind the Cummins turbodiesel of a 2004 Dodge Ram 2500 as a proof-of-concept demonstrator. While the primary application for the Torvec IVT is said to be school buses and other medium-duty vehicles - especially those engaged in a heavy amount of stop-and-go usage - the company is also enthusiastic about the transmission's prospects in the booming diesel heavy-duty light truck market.

A diesel engine is particularly well-suited to the characteristics of a CVT or IVT due to its relatively narrow powerband, but the torque limits of units based on belts or toroids have remained a problem. Of course, a hydraulic unit such as Torvec's may prove to have some drawbacks as well. Efficiency could be a problem (this has been an issue with the hydrostatic drives used in industrial vehicles and agricultural tractors), and of course keeping the hydraulic unit sealed for the average expected service life of a vehicle might be tricky. These are issues that can probably be overcome with some clever engineering, though, so we're not betting against Torvec.

[Sources: Autoindustry.co.uk; Torvec]

Torvec targets medium-duty market with new infinitely-variable transmission originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 07 Aug 2006 17:52:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>CVTDCTdual clutchGleasonIVTtorqueTorvectransmissionMon, 07 Aug 2006 17:52:00 EST