Ford Announces 8 speed Transmission and Split Cooling Technology

[ivorya]

Also, something i read further in the article is that Ford will be casting the extractors into the cylinder head, something tuners probably won't be happy with.
Now wondering how long it'll take before we this happening to either the I6 or the current crop of v6 engines of Ford US.

[Rodge]

My Merc has a 7 speed box and I've come to really like it although its not appreciably better than the six speed auto in my FPV its just that the seventh gear is slightly taller for improved cruising economy.

I drove a Lexus GS460 with the eight speed auto which some jurno's have reported is a bit prone to gear hunting, and so it proved, that said if the new 8 speed box is anything like the new 8 speed ZF they're said to be very good. I'm pleased its coming, the extra efficiency can't be a nad thing provided its programmed to avoid too much gear hunting like early Lexus 8 Speed boxes are prone too.

[phillyc]

Originally Posted by DFB FGXR6

Agreed. My FG STARTS in FIRST no matter how much throttle is used.. I thought BF models started in second though?

My FG starts in 2nd...

Getting back to the THREAD TOPIC. Add, 8spd auto, stop-start, EPAS, smart aternator, improved aero, split cooling and you have 8L/100km economy from the 4.0 i6.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Rodge

My Merc has a 7 speed box and I've come to really like it although its not appreciably better than the six speed auto in my FPV its just that the seventh gear is slightly taller for improved cruising economy.

I drove a Lexus GS460 with the eight speed auto which some jurno's have reported is a bit prone to gear hunting, and so it proved, that said if the new 8 speed box is anything like the new 8 speed ZF they're said to be very good. I'm pleased its coming, the extra efficiency can't be a nad thing provided its programmed to avoid too much gear hunting like early Lexus 8 Speed boxes are prone too.

The Lexus 8 speed isn't very good. The ZF 8 speed is one million times better from all reports, you can't even feel it change gear.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by ivorya

Also, something i read further in the article is that Ford will be casting the extractors into the cylinder head, something tuners probably won't be happy with.
Now wondering how long it'll take before we this happening to either the I6 or the current crop of v6 engines of Ford US.

I6 will never have the exhaust manifold cast into the head, its just too big to do and its a 2 piece cast iron hunk.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

The Lexus 8 speed isn't very good. The ZF 8 speed is one million times better from all reports, you can't even feel it change gear.

So what did you not like about driving a Lexus ISF?

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by flappist

So what did you not like about driving a Lexus ISF?

I've read about 3 or 4 reviews about it and they all say the same thing, that the Lexus 8 speed hunts around.

So get off your high horse, and don't tell me you've never commented on a car you haven't driven.

[jpd80]

Originally Posted by ivorya

Also, something i read further in the article is that Ford will be casting the extractors into the cylinder head, something tuners probably won't be happy with.
Now wondering how long it'll take before we this happening to either the I6 or the current crop of v6 engines of Ford US.

Already happening with GM SIDI 3.0 V6 and set to extend 3.6 SIDI.
It's all part of cooling the exhaust enough to recirculate it in higher
compression engines or higher boosted engines.

Ford Ecoboost V6 in F150 uses 12 psi boost and 11:1 compression with standard fuel,
you can only do that if you have good detonation control and lots of safety margin.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

I've read about 3 or 4 reviews about it and they all say the same thing, that the Lexus 8 speed hunts around.

So get off your high horse, and don't tell me you've never commented on a car you haven't driven.

No I specifically do NOT make comments on the operation of cars I have not driven as I have discovered that quite often reports in the media tend to be somewhat biased.

I have not found the ISF to "hunt around" any more than the DSG in a M3 or 335i, the DCT in a Golf R or even the ZF in the various BF/FG/Terris that I have driven.

But then I have read countless reviews stating that FG falcons are dead, crap, doomed and slow, terrible to drive, bad seating whatever.

I don't be believe them and the only problem I have with FGs is the blind spots. That is, the blind spots I noticed while DRIVING them......

[Bossxr8]

So you've never made a comment on a car you haven't driven. Sure mate.

If a number of reviews say the same thing then you can assume its probably true, if only one person says it and no one else does then you can view it with suspicion.

All reviews of 8 speed ZF equipped cars have been very positive towards it. If only the Falcon could have it, but it would be very pricey at the moment being so new.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Why, the 6 speed auto used in the F series is the same one used in the Territory diesel, which is near identical to the one in the Falcon, so if the F series gets it then it won't be hard to fit it in Falcon, depending on when they start making it of course.

The gear spread is only a bit larger in 7 and 8 speed autos, all the other gears are just stacked closer. The diff ratio can be lowered to bring the higher gears into play for Australian conditions.

The 6 speed ZF already defaults to start in 2nd gear.

I've been saying for a while now. And 8 speed gearbox for the Falcon.

Makes sense. Eco minded twits would pay to option an economy device, such as the 8 speeder. This is clearly for engines that can handle the spread though, like the Big sixes and eights. But it might even find it's way onto the back of the EB 2.0

Either way, I'm excited to see an adaption of this locally.

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by flappist

No I specifically do NOT make comments on the operation of cars I have not driven as I have discovered that quite often reports in the media tend to be somewhat biased.

I have not found the ISF to "hunt around" any more than the DSG in a M3 or 335i, the DCT in a Golf R or even the ZF in the various BF/FG/Terris that I have driven.

But then I have read countless reviews stating that FG falcons are dead, crap, doomed and slow, terrible to drive, bad seating whatever.

I don't be believe them and the only problem I have with FGs is the blind spots. That is, the blind spots I noticed while DRIVING them......

Surely you must be a journo, or aspiring journo... or you write for your local rag or something. Because who else would seek to drive so many vehicles? Let alone rent them?

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

Surely you must be a journo, or aspiring journo... or you write for your local rag or something. Because who else would seek to drive so many vehicles? Let alone rent them?

So you don't test drive vehicles when you are interested in buying them?

Or swap cars with your friends for a day to see what each others is like?

Having several dealer principals as friends comes in handy as well.

I LIKE driving and take every opportunity to broaden my experience, maybe you should try doing the same.

The only above mentioned vehicle that was rented was a FG XR6 I drove for several thousand KMs in NZ.

[Bossxr8]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

Surely you must be a journo, or aspiring journo... or you write for your local rag or something. Because who else would seek to drive so many vehicles? Let alone rent them?

Must like wasting dealers time test driving vehicles he has no intention of buying, or has no life.

But forget the idea of the 8 speed ZF being used in a Falcon within the next say 5 years. Its only been used in mega expensive cars so far and the price per unit would more than likely add more than a few thousand to the price of a Falcon.

But I think Chrysler are planning on using it in the 300C?

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Must like wasting dealers time test driving vehicles he has no intention of buying, or has no life.

OR

Currently own 6 vehicles and have bought almost 100 including quite a number of NEW Falcons and FPVs.

I have held a drivers licence for 35 years and driven well over a million kilometres in every state and territory of Australia as well as many other countries.

How about you.........

[Buntz]

Originally Posted by Bossxr8

Must like wasting dealers time test driving vehicles he has no intention of buying, or has no life.

But forget the idea of the 8 speed ZF being used in a Falcon within the next say 5 years. Its only been used in mega expensive cars so far and the price per unit would more than likely add more than a few thousand to the price of a Falcon.

But I think Chrysler are planning on using it in the 300C?

Yeah.... that's why they do the development work, drive it round Aus for a bit more, and then tell people they can option this gearbox for an extra $3-4k.

You may have to order it, and have one on the lot... but I think some would be interested in going that few extra grand for some low cost premiumness. Which is a new word I have just made up.

Originally Posted by flappist

So you don't test drive vehicles when you are interested in buying them?

Or swap cars with your friends for a day to see what each others is like?

Having several dealer principals as friends comes in handy as well.

I LIKE driving and take every opportunity to broaden my experience, maybe you should try doing the same.

The only above mentioned vehicle that was rented was a FG XR6 I drove for several thousand KMs in NZ.

I couldn't afford a new car mate... so I would just be wasting some poor blokes time for my own kicks... that wouldn't sit too well with me.

[flappist]

Originally Posted by Buntz93ED

I couldn't afford a new car mate... so I would just be wasting some poor blokes time for my own kicks... that wouldn't sit too well with me.

Yes but one day you will be able to afford a new car, will you test drive them then?

I did not have a lot of spare money to buy cars when I was your age either but I did take every opportunity to drive anything I was offered.

[EB#]

Some more info (or even speculative info) on this 8 speed box would be handy.....

Increase in the price ?
Cost of servicing ? (lifetime sealed ?.... I've never been convinced of that one)
Potential cost of a re-build ?
Potential cost of a new replacement out of warranty ?..... $12K at a rough guess?

How do these potential costs stack up to a 6% fuel saving and a smoother ride ?

[Bossxr8]

I don't think the price premium would justify the small economy saving, not when the 8 speed has only been on the market for less than a year, because it would come with a premium price tag. The current 6 speed has had all its R&D paid for a long time ago, and the purchase price would reflect that.

I'd hate to know what one would cost new from a dealer. Double a 6 speed?

[Rodp]

Originally Posted by MexicanBatman

why does everyone say the ZF starts in 2nd

i have owned my ZF car since day one brand new and its never taken off in 2nd, only when you manually select 2 it takes off in 2nd

maybe pre FG they did this but not anymore

My FG starts in 2nd.

Don't see the point in an 8 speed, anything below 80 in the 6 speed and I have to force my box into 5th, let alone 6th.

[Falc'man]

If Ford's current 6 speed ZF-copy is anything to go by they can stick this 8 speed where it belongs.

Bring on the Dual Clutches, not this nancy fancy I've-got-more-gears-than-you woftam.

Fair enough, you're in the right gear all the time but it defeats the purpose now that most torque curves are flat lines thanks to forced induction where forced induction is now becoming the norm.

DCT all the way.

[mickyyyy]

For me the benefit of going 8 speed is not there at all even with the tad better fuel economy and tad better shifting........

The more technical the trans the more SH%T that can go wrong.........

Imagine the cost just to service thetrans let along rebuild it.......