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Volkswagen introduces 10-speed transmission for better fuel efficiency

Discussion in 'Other Cars' started by Troy Heagy, Jun 12, 2014.

  1. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

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    I thought the 9 speeds Chrysler and Honda put in their cars was high..... now VW is going to ten. Supposedly this is the realistic maximum because, according to the CEO of ZF Friedrichshafen, there is no more efficiency gained by adding more gears.
    It reminds me of calculus. You keep subdividing the curve into smaller & smaller areas until you have a near-equal approximation (of a CVT).

    Volkswagen introduces 10-speed transmission for better fuel efficiency
     
    #1 Troy Heagy, Jun 12, 2014
  2. Mendel Leisk

    Mendel Leisk Senior Member

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    Our first vehicle, an '81 Civic, had the Hondamatic. I'm fuzzy as hell on how it worked, maybe someone can confirm, I think it had 2 forward gears, and while it was an clutchless automatic, you selected the gear.
     
    #2 Mendel Leisk, Jun 12, 2014
  3. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    #3 Trollbait, Jun 12, 2014
    Mendel Leisk likes this.
  4. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

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    2 gears.
    Wow.
    My first car had 3 gears which meant it was going at 3500 rpm down the interstate. Such a gas guzzler, but gas only cost $2 (in today's devalued paper) so nobody cared. Of course Honda came from building motorcycles, and they were learning to build cars on the fly. Ever seen the video of Jay Leno with his S600 (that's 600 cc). The car sounds just like a motorcycle!

     
    #4 Troy Heagy, Jun 12, 2014
  5. Tideland Prius

    Tideland Prius Moderator of the North
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    Wow, I thought they started with 3 forward gears. Our 1997 Corolla had a 3-speed automatic paired to a 1.6 litre DOHC I4 with 100hp and used as much as fuel as a current V6. Oddly enough, the DX 1.8 (or LE if you had the LE package) had better mileage with its 4-spd automatic and torquier motor.
     
    #5 Tideland Prius, Jun 12, 2014
  6. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    How much will it cost to fix?
     
    #6 ETC(SS), Jun 13, 2014
  7. Trollbait

    Trollbait It's a D&D thing

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    Honda was calling the torque convertor lock-up a third speed.

    Two and three speeds weren't enough to allow for efficient gearing. Overdrive ratios didn't show up until we got a fourth speed. That was improved by adding a few more speeds. At 9+, I think we have more than required for the majority of drivers. VW will likely introduce this transmission to all its markets to spread the tranny's costs out, but it likely will only benefit those that regularly drive at Autobahn speeds.
     
    #7 Trollbait, Jun 13, 2014
  8. ny_rob

    ny_rob Senior Member

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    A few years back- my bro in-law told me the new top series BMW 6 speed transmissions were sealed and were only swap-able even at the dealership level. Probably the same for the new VW 10 speed trannies- problems? swap it out for factory rebuilt....
     
    #8 ny_rob, Jun 13, 2014
  9. ETC(SS)

    ETC(SS) The OTHER One Percenter.....

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    Given Vee-Dubbaya's reputation with clutches and other drive-train problems, I'm thinking that I'll pass.....thanks.
     
    #9 ETC(SS), Jun 13, 2014
  10. Troy Heagy

    Troy Heagy Member

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    I was under the impression Volkswagen had the best Direct-Shift gearing. (And Nissan has the best CVT..... and GM the best torque converter automatic.....)
     
    #10 Troy Heagy, Jun 13, 2014
    Last edited: Jun 13, 2014
  11. Tony D

    Tony D Active Member

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    I personally really like the current DSG in VW/Audi. We don't seem to get the same problem here in Europe that you guys get. It's fantastic to drive a Mk5 GTI (2.0T) or an .:R32 with DSG IMO
     
    #11 Tony D, Jun 13, 2014
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