A Shift in Ford's Transmissions

Ford Motor Company looks to be doing something original with its research and development: It has designed and engineered an automatic transmission that will deliver better fuel economy to a car than a manual transmission would. The gain seems to be about 11%, presently. The company calls its new transmission technology PowerShift.

The dual dry-clutch PowerShift automatic transmission is based on efficient manual transmission technology, eliminating the additional weight and complexity of a torque converter, planetary gears and the fluid pumps employed in traditional automatics. Electronically controlled, twin internal clutches shift gears quickly and smoothly, providing a seamless flow of torque with the refinement and ease customers expect from a premium automatic transmission.

Ford will equip PowerShift in this year's Ford Fiesta. By the end of the year, it expects to have 85% of its automobiles with PowerShift capability. And by 2013, it hopes to offer PowerShift in all its vehicles.

PowerShift is an interesting technology. It's a dual-clutch in order to reap many of the benefits of manual transmissions. And using new technology, it results in better mileage. This is the sort of innovation that's been sorely lacking in American automobile design. We're frankly thrilled to see it developing--finally.

On the Car that Saved BMW

There's an interesting article about the BMW 700--ie, the Car That Saved BMW--in the Sydney Central. Apparently, back in the 50s, BMW was not the cultural icon that it is today. At the time, it was a motorcycle manufacturer, but the motorcycle business was going south pretty rapidly. The company's automobile manufacturing business was also tanking, and things looked fairly bleak.

Enter the BMW 700. By using as much of the previous model--the 600--as possible and redesigning where necessary, BMW was able to come up with a unique, compelling car. And in the center of it all, we find--a bevel gear differential:

Further features carried over from the BMW 600 were the all-synchromesh four-speed transmission as well as the bevel gear differential and, the flat-twin power unit originally used on BMW motorcycles and now increased in size from 600 to 700cc.

The newly introduced 700 was a success, and the now-legendary automaker got a second chance at life.