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[Push Me, Pull You: R&T investigates the comings and goings of gear changes]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/push-me-pull-you-randt-investigates-the-comings-and-goings-of-ge/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/push-me-pull-you-randt-investigates-the-comings-and-goings-of-ge/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/12/01/push-me-pull-you-randt-investigates-the-comings-and-goings-of-ge/#commentsFiled under:



When it isn't unusual to get into five or six different cars a month, you realize you spend a lot of time figuring out how, and how many ways, one can shift the gears in an automatic or double-clutch car. Where is the shifter? How many settings does the shifter have? How do I get into manual shift mode? Once there, how does it work? Are there paddle shifters as well? Do the paddle shifters move with the wheel or not? And so on...

Road & Track surveyed a number of automakers about how they set up their manual shifting modes. Some require you to push the lever forward to upshift, while for others that's a downshift, and a couple demand you move the lever side-to-side. The 13 makers examined all have their reasons, the loose consensus being that the forward-for-downshift bunch is modeled after driving dynamics, the forward-for-upshift bunch based on intuitiveness and customer feedback.

At least two makers have two cars that use different shifting methods. And if not for Subaru, Audi, and Porsche there'd be a nice way to classify the forward-for-upshift crowd as being for buyers who aren't into sporting driving. As far as we're concerned, forward should be for downshifts, and single-function paddles should be mounted on the wheel, not the column. But you can tell us what you think in the comments.

[Source: Road & Track]

Push Me, Pull You: R&T investigates the comings and goings of gear changes originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 01 Dec 2009 08:59:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gearboxManual TransmissionManualTransmissionroad and trackRoadAndTrackshiftingtransmissionTue, 01 Dec 2009 08:59:00 EST<![CDATA[Nissan instructs dealers to reprogram GT-R launch control]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/29/nissan-instructs-dealers-to-reprogram-gt-r-launch-control/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/29/nissan-instructs-dealers-to-reprogram-gt-r-launch-control/http://www.autoblog.com/2009/01/29/nissan-instructs-dealers-to-reprogram-gt-r-launch-control/#commentsFiled under: , , ,



Few topics have set the Autoblog commenting system on fire more than the Nissan GT-R. And once stories began to surface about Godzilla's gearbox grenading when customers invoked the power of launch control, it was like a Hateraid atom bomb had gone off below the fold. Well folks, strap on your riot gear and grab a stick of C4. Nissan's in the news again, officially addressing the GT-R's gearbox failure and rolling out a new software program to mitigate the problem.

Make the jump for all the details.

Gallery: Review: 2009 Nissan GT-R


Gallery: 2008 Nissan GT-R Details


[Source: InsideLine, StraightLine]

Continue reading Nissan instructs dealers to reprogram GT-R launch control

Nissan instructs dealers to reprogram GT-R launch control originally appeared on Autoblog on Thu, 29 Jan 2009 19:55:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>gearboxgt-rlaunch controlLaunchControlnissannissan gt-rnissan gtrNissanGt-rNissanGtrtransmissionThu, 29 Jan 2009 19:55:00 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[Porsche buyers not keen on start-stop tech]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/porsche-buyers-not-keen-on-start-stop-tech/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/porsche-buyers-not-keen-on-start-stop-tech/http://www.autoblog.com/2008/06/24/porsche-buyers-not-keen-on-start-stop-tech/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Porsche, like every other automaker under the sun, is under pressure to produce vehicles with improved fuel efficiency that emits less CO2. The current 911 puts out 225 g/km of CO2, but Porsche believes that it can hack another 10 g/km off that figure with the implementation of start-stop technology on its flat-six engines. Not so fast, say Porschephiles. According to the automaker, buyers aren't fond of such a feature on their arse-engined performance machines. Porsche didn't cite the reasons behind consumer's reluctance, but a 10 g/km reduction doesn't seem like much in the overall product scheme of Porsche.

During the launch of the 2009 911, CAR asked Porsche engineers what the CO2 limitations are of the current flat-six, and according to Thomas Wasserback, "it might be possible to produce a Boxster that emits 180 g/km, it would be difficult to engineer a 911 to produce 200." However, Porsche intents to maintain current performance levels, despite a possible reduction in engine output, by lessening equipment levels and making use of more lightweight materials and body shells. Interestingly, Porsche estimates that the new 911s equipped with the seven-speed PDK transmission, which increases fuel economy and decreases emissions, will account for 80-percent of all 2009 911s sold and could spell the end of the stick shift within five years. However, manual transmissions will remain standard on Porsche's 911 Turbo, GT2 and RS models due to the torque limitations of the PDK gearbox, but a stronger version of the 'box is in development, so expect to see dual-clutch technology on all those models in the coming years.

Gallery: 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera and Carrera S


[Source: CAR]

Porsche buyers not keen on start-stop tech originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 24 Jun 2008 12:28:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>911gearboxpdkporschestart stopstart-stopStartStoptransmissionTue, 24 Jun 2008 12:28:00 EST<![CDATA[New Chrysler/Getrag DSG transmission plant to be built in Indiana]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/19/new-chrysler-getrag-dsg-transmission-plant-to-be-built-in-indian/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/19/new-chrysler-getrag-dsg-transmission-plant-to-be-built-in-indian/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/06/19/new-chrysler-getrag-dsg-transmission-plant-to-be-built-in-indian/#commentsFiled under: ,

Chrysler and Getrag are teaming up to build a transmission plant in Indiana, at a cost of around $530 million. The production center, set to open in 2009, will produce approximately 700,000 dual-clutch transmissions annually in Tipton, Indiana.

The new plant will employ about 1,000 Chrysler workers, all under the watchful eye of Getrag execs.

No details about the new gearbox, or its applications, were available, but with production expected to reach 700k a year, we'd expect the new DSG to populate the majority of Chrysler's offerings.

[Source: Reuters]

New Chrysler/Getrag DSG transmission plant to be built in Indiana originally appeared on Autoblog on Tue, 19 Jun 2007 10:09:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>chryslergearboxgetragtransmissionTue, 19 Jun 2007 10:09:00 EST<![CDATA[Spy Shots: JaguarDrive transmission for XF/XK]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/30/spy-shots-jaguardrive-transmission-for-xf-and-xk/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/30/spy-shots-jaguardrive-transmission-for-xf-and-xk/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/05/30/spy-shots-jaguardrive-transmission-for-xf-and-xk/#commentsFiled under: ,



Although punching buttons to change gears is something that's been around for decades, these newest spy pics from KGP confirm that the new Jaguar XF and XK are likely to receive a setup reminiscent of the console found on the C-XF concept that debuted in Detroit.

The flat panel design, partially concealed by the test driver's hand, reveals a large red ignition button placed atop letters displaying the traditional "PRND." The image doesn't reveal how gear selection will be made, but if it's anything like the design shown on the concept (above), it's going to be way cooler than the Powerflite trannies of yesteryear.

[Source: Straightline]

Spy Shots: JaguarDrive transmission for XF/XK originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 30 May 2007 09:51:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>c-xfgearboxjaguarjaguardrivetrannytransmissionxfxkWed, 30 May 2007 09:51:00 EST<![CDATA[Update on Ford's aspiration for a dual-clutch transmission]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/28/update-on-fords-aspiration-for-a-dual-clutch-transmission/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/28/update-on-fords-aspiration-for-a-dual-clutch-transmission/http://www.autoblog.com/2007/04/28/update-on-fords-aspiration-for-a-dual-clutch-transmission/#commentsFiled under: , ,

It looks like the dual-clutch preselector transmission is emerging as the leader in automated manuals. Volkswagen's DSG has been around a while and offers fewer compromises than less purpose-built manuals. Ford's champing at the bit to get their own trick DSG-like transmission into production, and it looks like we'll see such a unit drop soon with the PowerShift moniker. Gearbox maker Getrag has several different variations on the theme, and word is they'll start off in PAG brand like Volvo first and then trickle down to other Fords as a premium option. Volvo is a logical entry point, as the marque's S40 T5 can be mentioned in the same breath as the A3 without the entire room snickering.

The core engineering seems to be essentially the same, with the packaging, max ratio spread and durability of the innards varying among the different configurations. Applications cover the various vehicle architectures of FR, FF, and MR, plus AWD, though we're not sure if the center differential is a seperate unit or integral to the trans. They're mostly six-speeds, although there is a seven-speed version with triple cone synchronizers and a max torque capacity of 750Nm. The exciting thing is that these transmissions reportedly have Job 1 dates in 2007, so we should see the debut soon in something. Europe will likely get them first in the diesel S40/V50s. There's a version rumored to be destined for the Fiesta, which is destined here, so before long, we may all be revelling in the perfectly executed blip-blip downshift as we clip the apex and get back on the power to exit fast while behind the wheel of a Ford vehicle.

[Source: GM Inside News]

Update on Ford's aspiration for a dual-clutch transmission originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 28 Apr 2007 13:12:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>autoautomanualautomatedautomated manualAutomatedManualDSGdual clutchDualClutchfiestafordgearboxmanualmanumaticpowerpowershifts40shifttransmissiontwin clutchTwinClutchv50volvoSat, 28 Apr 2007 13:12:00 EST<![CDATA[Volvo, Ford will get their own DSG]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/04/volvo-ford-will-get-their-own-dsg/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/04/volvo-ford-will-get-their-own-dsg/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/11/04/volvo-ford-will-get-their-own-dsg/#commentsFiled under: ,



Whatever stance you take in the automatic versus manual debate, if you haven't done so already, go out and sample a VW or Audi product equipped with the DSG transmission. All the positives - quicker shifts, better fuel economy, geek-cred - far outweigh the negatives and the fact that Porsche, BMW and even Chrysler are looking to develop their own dual-clutch gearbox, should tell you that DSGs are here to stay. Add to the fact that they may also be cheaper to produce and service, it didn't take anymore convincing for Ford and its Swedish arm, Volvo, to decide that they better throw their hat into the game.

WhatCar is reporting that a DSG-like tranny will find its way into Volvo models within the next two years and rumor has it that a high-performance version of the C30 will be one of the first vehicles to come equipped with the new gearbox.

In addition to Volvo's use of the dual-clutch setup, expect to see it carry over into Ford's vehicles as well, much like the migration from slush boxes that VW is in the process of executing.

[Source: What Car?]

Related Links:

Volvo, Ford will get their own DSG originally appeared on Autoblog on Sat, 04 Nov 2006 08:19:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>bmwc30dsgdual clutch transmissionDualClutchTransmissionfordgearboxporschesmgvolvoSat, 04 Nov 2006 08:19:00 EST<![CDATA[VW to replace all automatics with DSG?]]>http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/14/vw-to-replace-all-automatics-with-dsg/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/14/vw-to-replace-all-automatics-with-dsg/http://www.autoblog.com/2006/06/14/vw-to-replace-all-automatics-with-dsg/#commentsFiled under: , ,

Volkwagen's Direct Shift Gearbox/S-Tronic twin clutch gearbox has been fairly canonized by all who have mashed its paddles. And now, the automaker's product chief Wolfgang Bernhard is suggesting that the gearbox will replace all of its conventional automatics in much of the VW kingdom shortly, including transverse-mount Audis, Skodas, Seats, and VWs. Apparently, VW is having a issues dealing with longitudinal applications at the moment.

Bernhard also allowed that the VW has no plans to license the technology, preferring to keep the transmission for itself.

[Source: The Car Connection]

VW to replace all automatics with DSG? originally appeared on Autoblog on Wed, 14 Jun 2006 08:04:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

Read | Permalink | Email this | Comments]]>direct shift gearboxDirectShiftGearboxDSGdual clutchdual shiftDualClutchDualShiftgearboxS-TronicSeatsemi-automaticskodatransmissionWolfgang BernhardWolfgangBernhardWed, 14 Jun 2006 08:04:00 EST