Autoblog

As we reported last month, it appears BMW and Audi, following the lead of Lexus, will begin to offer eight-speed automatic transmissions in their flagship models. Sources are now saying the transmission will be supplied by ZF Friedrichshafen, a familiar German supplier to both marques. Although we don't know all of the specifics, Audi is expected to debut the new slushbox in the range-topping A8 sedan, Q7 SUV, and their future A7 premium model. BMW will likely debut the new gearbox in their premium 7-Series sedan and the X6 Sport Activity Vehicle, according to company sources.

The current Audi A8 and BMW 7-Series both use six-speed automatics. The Mercedes-Benz S-Class utilizes a seven-speed automatic of their own design, while Lexus debuted their eight-speed transmission in the LS 460. Increasing the number of forward gears offers advantages in smoothness, acceleration, and improves fuel efficiency. Lower fuel consumption equates to reduced emissions, helping the powerful models meet increasingly stringent air quality standards in Europe and the United States.

[Source: Automotive News, subs. req'd]

Like every other automaker that intends to do business in the U.S., Hyundai is planning for the future and the proposed fuel economy standards that are expected to hit in 2015. Currently, Hyundai's passenger cars average 32.4 mpg, while its trucks average 25.5 mpg. When the new regulations are in place, those numbers will have to increase to 37.5 mpg and 31.0 mpg, respectively. Hyundai's approach involves two separate strategies that will work together to achieve those figures.

The first step is to increase electrical efficiency by utilizing more LED technology that puts less strain on the powertrain, along with the use of electric power steering systems (in place of hydraulic units), direct-injection engines and six-speed transmissions. Those changes will be accompanied by the use of lightweight materials, aerodynamic enhancements and low-rolling resistance tires. While the electric power steering system only adds around one mpg overall, the combination of DI engines and six-speed 'boxes should increase fuel economy by between three and six percent.

Within the next two years, Hyundai plans to equip all of its V6-powered vehicles with six-speed gearboxes, while smaller models, with four-cylinder mills, will be upgraded to five-speed transmissions. All of this should help Hyundai achieve its goals, but more needs to be done, and Hyundai's senior manager of the powertrain department, Timothy White, says, "There is really no home run out there." Incremental are what it's about for the time being, and Hyundai seems to be making the first of many steps to accomplish that goal.

[Source: Automotive News – Sub. Req.]

In an effort to keep up with the foreign competition, while at the same time offering consumers more ratios than they can shake their stick at, General Motors has made a pledge to invest $332 million into its Toledo, Ohio plant.

The financial infusion is necessary to produce the new Hydra-matic GT40/45 six-speed transmission, designed for GM's midsized, front drivers, with production expected to begin in February of 2010. The FWD tranny will be built alongside the new rear-wheel drive six-speed that was announced last year.

Although the General's progress with six-speed cog-swappers is all well and good, 2010 seems like a long way out considering that several other automakers have already moved on to seven- and eight-speed transmissions.

[Source: Inside Line]

Automotive News is reporting that the next-gen Ford F-150 will get a six-speed transmission (Note: '07 model shown). Whether or not it will be standard equipment is unknown at this time, but look for it to be available one way or another. It's worth noting that the new Toyota Tundra has an available six-speed as well, so it seems like a natural choice for Ford to offer one, as well. In addition to simply matching up with Toyota, the additional fuel economy the extra gears offer shouldn't be ignored. Six-speeds are available for the large SUVs from Ford and GM already, so the appearance of one on the next F-150 seems like a completely natural progression to us. Truth is, given that six-speed transmissions are becoming more commonplace in a variety of vehicle types, it probably would have been more of a surprise to hear that Ford wasn't going to offer one.

[Source: Automotive News (sub req'd)]

click above image to view high-resolution gallery, now with 17 live shots

It's been a long three weeks since Ford officially announced that the Interceptor concept would be debuting at the Detroit Auto Show, but the big, blocky sedan finally rolled onstage in Cobo Arena to an introduction by Ford design chief J Mays. Much was made of squircles and Super Chief design influences, but Mays also nodded toward the heart and soul of the concept - an E85-compatible Cammer 5.0L V8 and 6-speed manual gearbox, with a good ol'-fashioned short-throw shifter.

FoMoCo then announced that it had finally woken up, realized what it means to be a truly American car company, and stated that it was making a Bold Move by immediately authorizing the Interceptor for production... oh, wait, that was the dream we had while nodding during the Focus intro. Rather, no plans for the Interceptor's future were mentioned, and the Interceptor was quietly chased off the stage by the next vehicle in Ford's procession.

Yeah, the styling is a bit derivitive, and the interior is dark and weird, and the door handles don't work well at all, but we don't think any of that would matter much if Ford would bring to its showrooms a RWD sedan with an honest 400 hp and a row-your-own trans.

Click here to see the 17 new live shots of the Ford Interceptor we added to our gallery.



For our comprehensive listing of everything from Detroit, click here.

Purists will rejoice at the news that for 2007, BMW is offering its lightning-quick M5 with a manual transmission.

Although the 500-hp super-sedan is capable of some jaw-dropping supercar-territory performance (like hitting sixty in 4.1 seconds), some enthusiasts have bemoaned its excessive use of electronic systems that interfere with a direct connection to the road.

With the no-cost option of a six-speed manual instead of the seven-speed sequential SMG gearbox, the M5 isn't expected to be any quicker. In fact, with clutchless manual transmissions always improving, the switch to the stick may in fact slow the car down a bit, especially in the hands of the average driver.

The news opens up the debate all over again: stick or paddle? If you were buying an M5, which would you take?

[Source: Kicking Tires]

General Motors upped this week's total investment in its new six-speed automatics to $500 million with Thursday's announcement that it was investing over $330 million in an upgrade to its Warren, Michigan plant, which will produce compact FWD and AWD models of the new transmission.

All told, GM's investment in the design, development and production of the new model automatics now stands at $1.7 billion.

The Warren plant will produce the new Hydra-Matic 6T70 and 6T75 six-speeds (pictured at right) for GM's midsize sedans and crossovers, including the Saturn Aura, Pontiac G6, Saturn Outlook, GMC Acadia and Buick Enclave. The new transmission debuts in 2007 models.

As in the bigger versions of the six-speed, a low first gear improves launch performance while an overdrive sixth gear boosts highway fuel economy.

The the mechanical elements of the new transaxle were co-developed by GM and (gasp!) Ford, but the controls, calibrations and operation of the transmission are unique to each company.

[Source: GM]

Related:
GM invests another $170 million in shift to six-speed automatics

Announcing Tuesday a $170 million investment in GM Powertrain's Ypsilanti Transmission Operations and its satellite vendors and support infrastructure, General Motors made a strong commitment to its new family of six-speed automatic transmissions. The new investment follows the more than $450 million invested in the six-speed development and in the Ypsilanti plant.

GM is launching the six-speeds in nearly 40 GM models around the world in 2006 and 2007. By 2010, the company plans a total of 10 new variants of the six-speed design, with annual production reaching three million units.

The first six-speed model, the Hydra-Matic 6L80 (shown at right), debuted in on GM's 2006 performance models and full-size SUVs, and the investment announcement coincides with the launch of its second six-speed variant, the 6L50, which will debut in 2007 Cadillac STS rear- and all-wheel drive sedans, and in the SRX V8 crossover.

Compared to a four-speed automatic, the new six-speeds provide both better performance (through a lower first gear) and better highway fuel economy (via two overdrive gears).

The 6L50 also features "Driver Shift Control," which allows the driver to shift the transmission like a clutchless manual 'box. Another nifty feature is transmission calibration to override automatic gear selection during closed-throttle and high lateral acceleration maneuvers (think aggressive corner entry), rapidly downshifting with nearly synchronous engine speed for quick power-up when the driver comes back on the throttle.

[Source: GM]

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!