Tag: automatic

Report: Chrysler to introduce 9-speed automatic for FWD models

Filed under: Chrysler, Dodge, Jeep, Rumormill

Chrysler has a whole cabinet full of pots on the fire, unleashing as it is a slew of heavily revised or completely new cars and trucks over the next couple of years. If you’re thinking that this seems like a good time to leap-frog its way back to the head of the pack in terms of vehicle specification, we’re right there with you.

And according to reports, so is Chrysler’s new management from Italy. We’ve heard rumblings that the Fiat-controlled automaker will introduce an eight-speed automatic transmission for rear-wheel drive vehicles in 2012, and now rumors indicate that the Pentastar’s next trick will be a nine-speed slushbox for its front-wheel drivers, which should have a suitably positive effect on fuel efficiency.

According to company head Sergio Marchionne, both the eight- and nine-speed gearboxes will be adaptable for use in all-wheel-drive applications and will come ready to accept hybrid bits and pieces. As of now, there isn’t any timetable on when we should expect to see the new nine-speeder.

*Update: Full text of Marchionne’s speech can be found after the break.

[Source: Chrysler]

Continue reading Report: Chrysler to introduce 9-speed automatic for FWD models

Report: Chrysler to introduce 9-speed automatic for FWD models originally appeared on Autoblog on Fri, 17 Sep 2010 14:30:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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Lotus accidentally confirms Evora automatic and S variants for Paris through email snafu

Filed under: Coupe, Performance, Paris Motor Show, Lotus

2010 Lotus Evora – Click above for high-res image gallery

Lotus seems to have quite a hit on its hands in the form of the Evora. We were quite taken with it ourselves when given the chance to put the car through its paces in Southern California, and we’ve yet to hear a nasty word uttered in its general direction. But that doesn’t mean Lotus can’t find a way to improve the breed yet further.

Apparently, a couple of those improvements are headed to the Paris Motor Show later this year. Buried within the automaker’s stand will be both a hotted-up S version of the Evora and one bestowed with an automatic transmission. How do we know? Well, an errant email recently went out to everyone on Lotus’ media list (ourselves included) that promised the two machines along with the other “new car(s) not yet announced.”

As if the thought of a Lotus Evora S (forced induction?) and an automatic for the clutch averse among you wasn’t enough, it seems the British specialists have plenty more up their well-tailored sleeves. There’s been plenty of postulation regarding what else we may see – most notably the rumored return of the Esprit – but we’re content to just take a wait-and-see attitude on this one. Paris just can’t come soon enough.

Gallery: First Drive: 2010 Lotus Evora

Photos by Michael Harley / Copyright (C)2010 AOL

[Source: Lotus via iCars Singapore]

Lotus accidentally confirms Evora automatic and S variants for Paris through email snafu originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 16 Aug 2010 13:34:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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It Will Never End: Mercedes-Benz reportedly working on nine-speed automatic

Filed under: Technology, Mercedes-Benz

According to Autocar, an admission by a Mercedes-Benz engineer proves that the company is working on a nine-speed automatic transmission. That isn’t exactly new, since talk of such a beast has been broached before. The difference this time is that Autocar’s sources says the gearbox will be “introduced on large-capacity engines.”

With no numbers for context we can’t be sure what’s meant by “large-capacity.” However, Motor Trend reported that the baby SLS would get a nine-speed double-clutch transmission for it’s twin-turbo-V6-hybrid engine, and Automobile said that all of the next generation S-Classes, arriving in 2012, would “have hybrid powertrains and a new nine-speed automatic transmission.”

We don’t expect any of those engines to be of particularly large displacement, especially now that the SSK AMG appears to have gone from a twin-turbo V8 to a V6 twin turbo with electric assistance. Still, we have no doubt we’ll see a nine-speed transmission somewhere. And when the Mercedes engineers opine that “nine ratios is the maximum that is technically possible, as well as being the most that customers will be able to cope with,” we believe they’re wrong. A company is really going to leave double-digit transmission bragging rights on the table? Uh, no. Can I get a ten-speed… anyone…?

[Source: Autocar]

It Will Never End: Mercedes-Benz reportedly working on nine-speed automatic originally appeared on Autoblog on Mon, 19 Jul 2010 16:31:00 EST. Please see our terms for use of feeds.

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