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[aaronjb]

How about a 9-speed automatic transmission - small enough to fit in a transverse engined FWD package.

[Welung666]

I miss the gearbox in my 580 Volvo.... triple split 7, low, med and high for each gear = 21 total

[aaronjb]

I miss the gearbox in my 580 Volvo.... triple split 7, low, med and high for each gear = 21 total

I don't think that would fit into your average Ford Focus, though! 

[cem_devecioglu]

for me even 5 speed auto is something new

[Andyb]

last auto i had was a 3 speed lol

[henryd]

I had a bmw 535d in yesterday,6 speed auto and 276 bhp plus enough torque to slow the earths rotation ,one very quick diesel. lovely autobox,although why it needs 6 gears is beyond me

[feeutfo]

Guessing better acceleration, lower individual gears will run out of puff at higher speeds, so add more gears to make up the differance.

Same reason the omega 5 speed manual gives better acceleration and economy over the 3 speed auto, and why modern manuals are mostly 6 speed. Makes sense although 9 gears seems excessive, they must have thier reasons to develop such a thing.

Would love to see the innards. 

[aaronjb]

Same reason the omega 5 speed manual gives better acceleration and economy over the 3 speed auto, and why modern manuals are mostly 6 speed. Makes sense although 9 gears seems excessive, they must have thier reasons to develop such a thing.

It seems to me that as engines become more and more advanced and highly tuned (chasing fuel economy) that the usable efficient power band gets narrower and narrower. I guess it's much easier to tune an engine (and, more importantly, intake & exhaust) to be hugely efficient in a narrow band than 'largely efficient' over a wide band with the use of VVT/L and/or variable intakes..

Lots and lots of gears (that automatically change) mean you can keep the engine in a tiny powerband more of the time, which means better fuel economy under normal driving conditions (and not just cruising)..

Would love to see the innards. 

Ditto, it's quite some feat to fit it all into something that looks so small! I imagine it wouldn't fare well with a high torque motor, but then it's presumably really designed for the Prius-alikes.

[djac]

Same reason the omega 5 speed manual gives better acceleration and economy over the 3 speed auto, and why modern manuals are mostly 6 speed. Makes sense although 9 gears seems excessive, they must have thier reasons to develop such a thing.

It seems to me that as engines become more and more advanced and highly tuned (chasing fuel economy) that the usable efficient power band gets narrower and narrower. I guess it's much easier to tune an engine (and, more importantly, intake & exhaust) to be hugely efficient in a narrow band than 'largely efficient' over a wide band with the use of VVT/L and/or variable intakes..

Lots and lots of gears (that automatically change) mean you can keep the engine in a tiny powerband more of the time, which means better fuel economy under normal driving conditions (and not just cruising)..

Would love to see the innards. 

Ditto, it's quite some feat to fit it all into something that looks so small! I imagine it wouldn't fare well with a high torque motor, but then it's presumably really designed for the Prius-alikes.

Does that mean we will end up with something more like the CVT 'gearboxes' like the old Daf Variomatic or the ones fitted to Micras etc? No 'gears' at all, just an (almost) inifinite number of ratios?

[aaronjb]

Does that mean we will end up with something more like the CVT 'gearboxes' like the old Daf Variomatic or the ones fitted to Micras etc? No 'gears' at all, just an (almost) inifinite number of ratios?

That's an interesting question - you'd imagine that logically a CVT that never has to swap cogs in any way ought to be faster and more efficient in all circumstances.. presumably there's a technological reason why it's better to produce many-geared gearboxes, though.

I know Nissan had a CVT at one point - the bubble-shaped Micras came with it as an option, and it's since disappeared from their lineup. Mechanical problems or just rarely bought, I wonder?

[Kevin Wood]

It seems to me that as engines become more and more advanced and highly tuned (chasing fuel economy) that the usable efficient power band gets narrower and narrower. I guess it's much easier to tune an engine (and, more importantly, intake & exhaust) to be hugely efficient in a narrow band than 'largely efficient' over a wide band with the use of VVT/L and/or variable intakes..

Lots and lots of gears (that automatically change) mean you can keep the engine in a tiny powerband more of the time, which means better fuel economy under normal driving conditions (and not just cruising)..

Nail on head. There is a direct trade-off between flexibility and efficiency of an engine, hence the appearance of elaborate variable valve timing setups even on plodding cars where it's certainly not there for performance.

Hybrids, too. Most of the advantage gained from a hybrid is that the engine can be a total dog of a "generator engine" that works properly at one speed only and the car is still broadly drivable.

More gears mean a narrower power band is acceptable.

I just hope the gear changes are barely perceptible because there's nothing I hate more than an umpteen speed auto that's up and down the box all the ruddy time such as the DSG.

Kevin

[feeutfo]

Really like the DSG personally, I like the way it changes gear, and enjoy the experience of it doing so as often as possible, within reason. It's ......different .... Surges almost, as it changes, as if a bit too quick with the clutch on a manual.

But that aside yes it could be very annoying if it does not change gear efficiently.

[Marks DTM Calib]

TBH, the wifes new VVT based 1.6 has a very flat torque delivery and hence it suits a 5 pseed very well.

My diesel needs a 6 speed box to keep it on the boil.

The V6 Omegas work well on a 5 speed (and ok on a 4 speed auto)

[TheBoy]

TBH, the wifes new VVT based 1.6 has a very flat torque delivery and hence it suits a 5 pseed very well.

My diesel needs a 6 speed box to keep it on the boil.

The V6 Omegas work well on a 5 speed (and ok on a 4 speed auto)

The flat delivery means it works very well imho, given that neither option is exactly a sporty setup

I do feel the auto could benefit another, just to improve acceleration a tad, particularly in that 0 to 65mph range, lengthening (what would be) 3rd out to 100ish. Popping into top could stay at the just under 130mph point.

[feeutfo]

TBH, the wifes new VVT based 1.6 has a very flat torque delivery and hence it suits a 5 pseed very well.

My diesel needs a 6 speed box to keep it on the boil.

The V6 Omegas work well on a 5 speed (and ok on a 4 speed auto)

The flat delivery means it works very well imho, given that neither option is exactly a sporty setup

I do feel the auto could benefit another, just to improve acceleration a tad, particularly in that 0 to 65mph range, lengthening (what would be) 3rd out to 100ish. Popping into top could stay at the just under 130mph point.

Sourcing a European 5 speed was on my list of upgrades once, not sure I could be bothered now, but shouldn't be too difficult once found, presumably?