Advanced, more efficient transmission technology is one piece of a very large puzzle that will help Ford achieve its goal of reducing auto emissions 30 percent by 2020. As it prepares for the 2008 Society of Automotive Engineers Congress this week, Ford has outlined its transmission plan, which includes utilizing six-speed automatic transmissions on more than half of its North American lineup, according to Craig Renneker, chief engineer for new automatic transmissions.
The 2009 F-150 will be equipped with a six-speed automatic and a front-wheel drive six-speed automatic will be used with the re-refreshed 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner, both of which roll into dealerships this summer. The transmissions improve fuel economy by 4 to 6 percent, Ford says, compared to "typical" four- and five-speed automatic transmissions.
While such an improvement is good, Ford's PowerShift dual-clutch six-speed has already helped the European Focus up fuel economy by 10 percent. The PowerShift transmission and EcoBoost turbo/direct-injection technology will eventually make their way to North America, perhaps eventually pairing in the 2010 Mustang. We'll see an EcoBoost engine first in the Lincoln MKS sedan and then in a high-performance version of the Fusion sedan.
Source: Ford