Ford, dual-clutch and North America
The new transmission is a dry-clutch derivative of the wet clutch PowerShift currently fitted to European Ford Focus. As the dry clutch variant requires no torque converter, fluids, pumps or coolers, it makes for a lighter, more efficient unit, says Ford – and, being sealed, it needs no regular maintenance.
A product of Ford's eight year-old partnership with the German transmission maker Getrag, the new PowerShift transmissions will be made at Tipton, Indiana, a facility presently under construction.
Ford's announcement – and its projection that almost all its cars will be fitted with advanced six-speed dual clutch gearboxes by 2013 – comes only months after Getrag's projected partnership with Chrysler on dual clutch technology was dissolved.
"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, Ford's vice president for powertrain and transmission engineering worldwide.
Following on from the Detroit show's Lincoln C concept, Ford chose the Geneva motor show in March to unveil a European concept, the Iosis Max, which is arrestingly styled on lightweight, aerodynamic lines. Like the Lincoln, it will feature 1.6 liter four cylinder EcoBoost engine – the first European model to do so – along with a PowerShift six-speed dual clutch transmission. The Iosis Max also features double-hinged front doors, sliding rear doors and a tailgate that may be opened in three different ways.
Ford also claimed a first with another car based on the Ford Focus platform – the new Volvo S40 2.0L, which was launched in China in January: This is the first luxury car to be built in China to feature a dual clutch transmission.
Story Filed: 3/10/2009
By Tony Lewin, managing editor DCTfacts.com