GM and Ford working together

[LTVibe]

New six-speed automatic transaxle co-developed by GM and Ford Motor Co.

http://media.gm.com/servlet/Gateway...monthlyreleasedetail.do?domain=74&docid=17537

 

[ToyotaNSaturn]

I was under the impression that the 6-speed Auto in the Ford 500 was the same as the one in your link..

 

[T-Keith]

The transmission was mostly developed by GM and Ford signed on near the end of development and is making their version themselves. The cost of developing new transmission is getting hard to handle when the competitors outsource theirs.

-T

 

[Steve S]

A new trans that breaks down and costs alot to fix. Cool.

 

[PandaBear]

GM makes pretty good tranny, if you were to say breaks down and cost alot to fix, Honda V6 tranny would be the one.

Seriously, both GM and Ford realized they are far behind the competitors and need to get their ***** together to fix it. Hope the joint design will mean more units, cheaper price, cheaper to maintain, cheaper fluid, cheaper to find in junkyard.

 

[Al]

quote:

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Originally posted by Steve S:
A new trans that breaks down and costs alot to fix. Cool.

---

My thoughts exactly.

I think GM could have spent money more wisely on developing and producing a 40+ mpg vehicle. They probably haven't heard that gas is on its way to 3 bucks.

 

[Matt_S]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Al:
My thoughts exactly.

I think GM could have spent money more wisely on developing and producing a 40+ mpg vehicle. They probably haven't heard that gas is on its way to 3 bucks.

---

So you don't think that a 6 speed trans will help gas mileage, compared to the more common 4 speeds? I would venture to guess that it certainly will, especially with in-town driving, as well as giving better acceleration.

 

[LTVibe]

A 4% boost in gas mileage. Not much but I guess every little bit helps.

"GM's other joint venture in Detroit will produce a new six-speed automatic that will appear in the 2007 Saturn Aura sedan, the company announced on Thursday. The new gearbox will be known as the Hydra-Matic 6T70 in its GM iteration; it's being co-developed with Ford Motor Company, which is expected to put versions in its new mid-size and large sedans in the 2007 model year. The gearbox has been designed with front-drive and all-wheel drive, and transversely-mounted engines in mind, and could deliver a four-percent fuel-economy boost to some vehicles compared to GM's current crop of four-cylinder automatics. Tiptronic-style shifting has been built into the gearbox's electronics."

Here is a pic of the first car to use the new trans (not bad!!!):

http://i9.photobucket.com/albums/a88/LTVibe/2007SaturnAura.jpg

 

[brianl703]

This is from the Lubrizol article on ATF developments which is posted in the interesting articles section:

Though different in design, the newer types all transmit power
more efficiently than four- and five-speed automatics — and
therefore offer improved fuel economy. According to Lubrizol Corp., four-speed automatics operate at a bit under
85 percent efficiency, five-speeds at just over 85 percent.
CVTs approach 90 percent, while six- and sevenspeeds
both exceed 90 percent, the company says.
Dual clutches and automatic manuals top 95 percent.

 

[Willy_G]

Sorry so late--

The manual gear boxes in many smaller GMs sold in the US are Italian Fiat units!

 

[brianl703]

I thought they were Getrag units?

 

[Al]

I think GM should learn to build a basic engine that doesn't have an intake gasket that leaks coolant before they build a more complex 6 speed auto-trans.

 

[NJC]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Matt_S:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Al:
My thoughts exactly.

I think GM could have spent money more wisely on developing and producing a 40+ mpg vehicle. They probably haven't heard that gas is on its way to 3 bucks.

---

So you don't think that a 6 speed trans will help gas mileage, compared to the more common 4 speeds? I would venture to guess that it certainly will, especially with in-town driving, as well as giving better acceleration.

---

It may increase gas mileage but with it's added complexity, it's more likely to be in the trans shop sooner thus eliminating said savings..

 

[Willy_G]

I think it is the 5-speed in the Opal Ion. I mean Vauxhall Cobalt. (You know what I mean

)

 

[tweeker43]

this six speed is should have lower warranty costs. there has been substantial testing on this tranny, with more to go. production doesn't kick off until mid '06.

there are several derivatives coming out in the next few years as well. this will be a global set of transmissions; slightly different but very similar engineering overall.

gm and ford will differentiate their transmissions with shift points and some other very minor variation.

 

[Steve S]

quote:

---

Originally posted by Matt_S:

quote:

---

Originally posted by Al:
My thoughts exactly.

I think GM could have spent money more wisely on developing and producing a 40+ mpg vehicle. They probably haven't heard that gas is on its way to 3 bucks.

---

So you don't think that a 6 speed trans will help gas mileage, compared to the more common 4 speeds? I would venture to guess that it certainly will, especially with in-town driving, as well as giving better acceleration.

---

IOt will cost way way more to fix the trannie than will be the $$$ saved on gas.

 

[Steve S]

quote:

---

Originally posted by brianl703:
This is from the Lubrizol article on ATF developments which is posted in the interesting articles section:

Though different in design, the newer types all transmit power
more efficiently than four- and five-speed automatics — and
therefore offer improved fuel economy. According to Lubrizol Corp., four-speed automatics operate at a bit under
85 percent efficiency, five-speeds at just over 85 percent.
CVTs approach 90 percent, while six- and sevenspeeds
both exceed 90 percent, the company says.
Dual clutches and automatic manuals top 95 percent.

---

more moving parts more drag. can't see it .Improved mpg has to come from reducing parasitic losses from the trans parts.

 

[chas3]

more gearing would give you more options with the torque convertor and the engine rpm. i suspect most loss in your automatic transmission is the t/c's fluid coupling. getting the transmission/engine to a point where you can "lockup" is going to help with losses.

however, the story about "less seeking" makes me smile. more choices = more seeking. those engine computers really are fickle when it comes to gear selection.