Ford News - Update on Ford’s aspiration for a dual-clutch transmission
April 29, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
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]
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Source: www.autoblog.com
[tags]ford cars, ford news, ford models, ford[/tags]
DaimlerChrysler News - VIDEO: Carrera GT, MC12, SLR in Italy - what’s not to like?
April 28, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Videos, Supercars, DaimlerChrysler, Maserati, Mercedes Benz, Porsche
We’ll keep this simple: three of the world’s finest supercars in one of the world’s best supercar playgrounds. The hardcore action doesn’t go much beyond each car getting a solo peelout. However, each machine does get plenty of individual, loving, lifestyle-themed attention. And the sights and sounds — ah, sehr gut and che bella. Enjoy the video after the jump.
[Source: You Tube]
Continue reading VIDEO: Carrera GT, MC12, SLR in Italy - what’s not to like?
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Source: www.autoblog.com
[tags]daimlerchrysler cars, daimlerchrysler news, daimlerchrysler models[/tags]
Volkswagen News - VIDEO: My gearbox is better than yours
April 28, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
, Tech, Videos, Volkswagen
This ad takes us back to our childhood, when transmissions came in manual and automatic. That was it. Today’s kids have sequentials, continuously variable ratios, dual clutches, paddle shifters, manually-shifted automatics, automatic-shifting manuals and a gazillion other variations to confuse them when pretending to drive.
We could try to explain the technology behind Volkswagen’s DSG transmission until we’re blue in the face, or you could simply follow the jump to watch a couple of kids do it for us. It’s so simple, it’s child’s play.
Disclaimer: No actual children were harmed by Autoblog or by Volkswagen in the presentation of this video.
[Source: German Car Scene via Carscoop]
Continue reading VIDEO: My gearbox is better than yours
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Source: www.autoblog.com
[tags]volkswagen cars, volkswagen news, volkswagen models[/tags]
Nissan News - In Japan, the G37 gets its Skyline on as birthday bash commences
April 28, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
Click for photo gallery
The Nissan Skyline’s 50th Anniversary exhibit opened Tuesday, April 24th at Tokyo Midtown, and that means that the new Skyline Coupe (a.k.a. Infiniti G37 here in the States) has made its first official appearance. The exhibit in Tokyo features examples from each generation of the Skyline, and the opening event was attended by luminaries including Oscar nominee Ken Watanabe. A series of television commercials featuring well-known personalities like Seattle Mariners outfielder Ichiro is also being aired in Japan to coincide with the 50th Anniversary and the Coupe’s launch. As for the Skyline Coupe, what’s there to say? It’s got all the goodness of the G37, just with Nissan badges — and a name that carries some serious cachet in Japan.
[Source: Nissan]
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Source: www.autoblog.com
[tags]nissan cars, nissan autos, nissan news, nissan models, nissan[/tags]
Toyota News - Hybrid version of LF-A supercar confirmed by Lexus
April 28, 2007 by tsikot · Leave a Comment
Click on the photo for a gallery of the LF-A concept at Detroit
At the Detroit Auto Show in January, Lexus showed a re-styled version of the LF-A concept that originally appeared on the show circuit in 2005 and has turned up periodically running around the Nurburgring in Germany. Until now, the LF-A has been powered by a 500hp 5.0L V-10 driving the rear wheels. At the same show, Toyota also showed a sports car concept called FT-HS that had a hybrid drivetrain.
Reports are now coming out of England that a new Lexus branded high-end sports car may be on the way that combines elements of both of those concepts. Lexus GB director has reportedly acknowledged that an all new supercar is coming before the end of the decade that doesn’t share a platform with any existing vehicle. According to Settle, it will have new hybrid technology, indicating that it may have plug-in capability which is plausible since Toyota has already said the next generation Prius will have lithium ion batteries. If Toyota does indeed build this car, it could make an interesting counterpoint to Honda’s NSX sucessor which looks like it will have a conventional ICE powerplant.
[Source: MotorTrader.com via LeftLaneNews]
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Source: www.autoblog.com
[tags]toyota cars, toyota news, toyota suv, toyota[/tags]
