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First Drive: 2009 Porsche 911 Carrera S with PDK

Introduced in 1963, the Porsche 911 is one of the most successful competition cars ever built. Despite its unconventional rear-engine platform, the 911 Carrera holds recorded wins in nearly every type of automotive competition. Continuously upgraded and refined, Porsche has introduced a mid-cycle refresh for the 2009 model year. While the cosmetic changes are immediately apparent, the most significant improvements – two new engines and a new double-clutch transmission – are hidden under its sleek skin. We spent a long day putting the 2009 911 Carrera through its paces on a race track near Salt Lake City framed by the spectacular snow-capped surrounding mountains of Utah.
posted : 10/21/2008 @7:48:23 PM
Chrysler deal with Getrag reportedly dead

Things were just starting to look up for Chrysler's upcoming powertrains. The Phoenix V6 will hopefully return competitiveness to the engine bays of Pentastar vehicles, and a dual-clutch automated manual transmission joint venture with Getrag was nearly off the ground before both companies started shoving lawyers at each other. A joint venture plant has been built in Indiana, but the deal fell apart over money for tooling. Chrysler's shot a lawsuit at Getrag, alleging that the transmission specialist hasn't ponied up for tooling and equipment to build the gearboxes. For its part, Getrag contends that it had backing from German banks provided that Chrysler put the $300 million needed into escrow, and is prepared to sue Chrysler to get reimbursed for its investment plus damages. If Getrag and Chrysler can't come to terms, it doesn't look good for the future of Chrysler's clever gearbox which would offer increased performance and fuel economy.
posted : 10/21/2008 @7:34:43 PM
Carsumer Advocacy? Nissan refuses to replace GT-R owner's busted transmission

A member of the North American GT-R Owner's Club forums started a thread recently in which he tells about dropping off his Nissan GT-R at the dealership when he began hearing loud noises coming from the rear of the car. The dealership told him that his transmission was toast as a direct result of him turning off the car's VDC (Vehicle Dynamic Control) too much, which you have to do in order to use the Launch Control function. The cost to repair the tranny is $20,000 and Nissan won't cover it under warranty since the GT-R owner's manual states that damage to the transmission is not covered if it is proven to be the result of using Launch Control with the VDC turned off. In fact, the manual states that the only reason you should turn off VDC is for when you're rocking the vehicle because it's stuck in mud or snow. That's kind of like Nissan saying you should never use the Launch Control function despite the fact it's there.
posted : 10/15/2008 @9:42:37 PM
Chrysler sues Getrag over U.S.-built dual-clutch trannies

Chrysler has managed to stay out of the doom and gloom news for a few weeks now, which goes to show that going private can have its benefits. But things couldn't stay quiet forever, and as if the company needed something else to deal with, it's now in row with German transmission supplier Getrag over a potentially failed joint venture. Chrysler uses Getrag double-clutch transmissions (DCT) in the Euro-version Dodge Journey (seen above), and is planning on adding the Euro Avenger and Sebring to the DCT lineup. Getrag signed an agreement with Chrysler to build a factory in the U.S. that would also supply Chrylser's American products with DCTs, and in return for Chrylser agreeing to get such transmissions only from Getrag, Getrag would get $300 million to finance and tool the factory. According to Getrag, it only intended to borrow the funds if said funds were guaranteed by the German government. According to the German government, it would only guarantee the $300 million loan if Chrysler put that same amount in an escrow account to guarantee repayment. According to Chrysler, it had no idea of such an arrangement, and Getrag never should have signed the agreement if it meant Chrysler needed to back Getrag's loan with its own cash. And that's how court cases are made. While the factory remains in limbo, Chrysler needs to find another supplier for DCTs for its American cars, and do it in a hurry.
posted : 10/15/2008 @7:57:54 PM
Aston Martin DBS gets Touchtronic tranny

The ultimate Aston Martin is only a year old, but it's already getting some updates including a new automatic transmission. The DBS will receive an optional automatic transmission dubbed the TouchTronic 2 for the 2009 model year, a re-engineered version of the ZF six-speed unit equipped in the DB9. Given the DBS' more harder attitude over the DB9, the transmission has been tuned for faster, more aggressive shifts in order to maintain the same acceleration capabilities as the manual transmission version and giving drivers the choice of swapping their own cogs via steering wheel-mounted paddle shifters. When the situation is more relaxed the driver can enjoy some tunes over the new 1,000-watt Bang & Olufsen stereo system. For those inclined to occasionally punish a couple of friends, Aston is now offering a pair of +2 rear seats. The company claims this is at the request of customers, but frankly, customers who make such silly requests should probably be sent elsewhere anyway. The automatic DBS commands a $4,000 premium over the three pedal variant and starts at $273,000.
posted : 10/5/2008 @2:26:44 PM
Chrysler ekes out additional 2 mpg on 2009 minivans

With moms now actually reading EPA fuel economy figures on the window sticker before trying out the dozen cup holders found in most modern minivans, Chrysler went back to the engineering lab and knocked out a few more miles per gallon for its 2009 minivan offerings. Bragging that no other minivan offers better fuel economy than the 2009 Chrysler Town & Country and Dodge Grand Caravan, the automaker is boasting EPA figures of 17 city / 25 highway for the minivans when equipped with the automaker's 4.0L six-cylinder engine and minivan-first 6-speed automatic. Considering that the original 1984 Chrysler Town and Country achieved 18 city / 21 highway with a 2.6L four-cylinder and three-speed transmission, we've clearly come a long way. To squeeze out the extra miles per gallon, Chrysler tweaked the large 4.0L V6 engine and then changed the ratios on the transmission. With a higher ratio first gear, and smaller steps between the new ratios, the minivans are quicker off the line and the engine doesn't loose as much speed between shifts. The result is a fuel economy improvement of about 8 percent or about 2 mpg. Now, if the engineers could just do something about that minivan stigma...
posted : 9/23/2008 @10:24:39 PM
GM pledges to invest $290 million at Ontario plantFresh from the news that Ford would be investing cash into its Canadian facilities, our friends north of the border got even more good news, this time from GM. The General is investing $290 million in all, including $245 million at its St. Catharines plant, which will make six-speed transmissions. The move will ensure the employment of the 300 workers at the facility. GM also plans to invest $40 million for environmental research at its Canadian engineering center in Oshawa. GM also announced that it would be building a hybrid vehicle at its Oshawa car plant at an undisclosed future date. The Canadian government is showing its gratitude by not requiring early payment for $200 million in loans that is owed by the General. The loan was triggered early when GM announced the closure of its Oshawa truck plant, meaning the General wouldn't meet minimal employment targets.
posted : 9/23/2008 @9:52:37 PM

Ford, GM considering joint engine development

In a move that will help both ailing automakers, General Motors and Ford are holding discussions about sharing engine and powertrain technologies. Although neither company will officially acknowledge the liaisons, the meetings have been going on for more than a month, according to sources. Engine and powertrain development costs are significant -- an entirely new engine could cost $1 billion, while a transmission could cost upwards of $800 million -- so splitting those costs offers substantial savings to both companies. In addition to the financial incentives, technology sharing would open doors that otherwise would have remained shut (e.g., GM sharing Volt technology with Ford). This wouldn't be the first time the two competitors have climbed in the sack together... years ago, they successfully partnered on a six-speed automatic transmission that is widely used by both companies today.

This rumor definitely makes for a fun what-if game. If these discussions bear fruit, what engines would you like shared across the aisle? A Vortech V8-powered F-150 or an LS9 Mustang GT500? How about a Malibu powered by a twin-turbo DI Ecoboost V6?

posted : 8/8/2008 @7:37:42 PM
VIDEO: Porsche's PDK gearbox in action

Porsche's unveiling of the 2009 911 Carrera also came with the introduction of the new PDK seven-speed twin-clutch gearbox. It can shift 60-percent faster than the Tiptronic system, and reportedly helps the 911 S lap the Nurburgring eight seconds faster than the six-speed variant. Porsche has released a video explaining more about how the PDK works, showing off the dual wet clutches that are simultaneously connected to two gears so that when gear is engaged the next gear has been selected, essentially providing instantaneous shifts. Follow the jump to watch the PDK gear box in action and learn more about how the dual clutch system works.
more ...
posted : 8/5/2008 @7:08:45 AM

Audi and BMW to utilize 8-speed gearboxes to take on Lexus

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 (used in their LS models) four years ago. 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.

posted : 5/12/2008 @11:08:28 PM
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