Ford Motor Company News
Ford Accelerates Shift to Fuel-Efficient, High-Performance 6-Speed Transmissions
The advanced transmissions provide customers 4 to 6 percent improved fuel economy compared with typical 4- and 5-speed gearboxes, as well as better acceleration and a quieter and more refined driving experience.
"Advanced six-speed automatic transmissions are an important element in our sustainability strategy to improve fuel economy for our customers and reduce greenhouse gas emissions by 30 percent in our new vehicles by 2020," said
By the end of 2012, 98 percent of Ford's North American automatic transmissions will be advanced 6-speed gearboxes, maintaining the automaker's position as a leader of high-performance, fuel-efficient powertrains.
Less RPM, More MPG
Ford's newest 6-speed is the 6F35, which debuts in the 2009 Ford Escape and
For 2009, the Escape and Mariner receive more powerful engines, but even with that improved power, they also increase their fuel economy by 1 mpg thanks to the new 6F35.
Key to the new 6-speed transmissions is increased gear span compared with 4- and 5-speeds. This allows vehicle powertrains to operate at a more optimum level, depending on the particular driving situation.
"For example, a higher first gear delivers more torque when accelerating from a stop while the deeper overdrive gear enables a vehicle's engine to use less energy at highway cruising speeds, which saves gas," says
The 6F35 is produced at Ford's Van Dyke Transmission Plant in
Quality Engineered
At 84.5 percent customer satisfaction, the 6F50 is three points above the industry average for all transmissions, according to the first quarter 2008 U.S. Global Quality Research System study conducted for Ford by RDA Group of
This year, 6F50 application expands to the all-new 2009 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKS. Available with SelectShift in the Lincoln MKS, the automatic transmission also allows manual gear selection for an engaging and sporty driving experience.
Flexible for Added Fuel-Saving Technology
Ford 6-speed gear ratios also play a key role in the company's new PowerShift dual-clutch transmission. Currently used in the new European Ford Focus and Ford C-Max, PowerShift combines the ease and permanent motion of a conventional 6-speed automatic transmission with the performance of a manual transmission. It also delivers a fast and sporty shift while maintaining excellent shift smoothness.
"These technologies are all about fuel economy," said
Six-Speed Centers of Excellence
The Van Dyke plant will serve as the company's global center of excellence for 6-speed front-wheel-drive transmissions, and the
The third center of excellence for Ford's 6-speed manufacturing is its
A total investment of
SOURCE Ford Motor Company
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