Transmission layout behind reduced fuel consumption

In response to increasingly stringent emission standards and fuel economy requirements, domestic and foreign car companies are developing more advanced power technologies, and gearboxes have become an important force point. However, based on the difference between the starting point and the technology, the direction of the selection of different car companies is not the same.

Independent brand is committed to creating a 7-speed dual clutch transmission era

At present, the use of dual-clutch gearboxes is rare in their own brands, but international brands such as Volkswagen, General Motors, Ford, Mercedes-Benz, and BMW have all started using dual-clutch gearboxes. Compared with manual, automatic, and continuously variable transmissions, the dual-clutch gearbox has the advantage of improving transmission efficiency while significantly shortening the shift time to achieve fuel economy.

In view of this, the current independent brands are mostly in the layout of dual-clutch gearboxes, of which 7-speed dual-clutch gearboxes are the main ones.

Recently, Chang An Automobile spokesperson and executive vice president of Chang'an Automotive Engineering Research Institute and party secretary Tan Benhong revealed to the media that according to the Chang’an auto plan, two DCT double-clutch gearboxes will be introduced in advance. They are respectively 5-speed dual-clutch gearboxes. Box and 7-speed dual clutch gearbox. According to the “core power” strategy released by Changan Automobile, DCT transmissions are developed by Chang’an’s R&D center in the UK and Chongqing Power Research Institute. Changan's self-developed 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox will also be used in production models, including the CS95, Rui Hao and other mid-to-high-end models.

In addition to Changan, Geely Automobile's 7-speed dual-clutch gearbox construction project has officially passed the planning approval; SAIC is currently also developing a 7-speed dual clutch gearbox; Guangzhou Automobile Chuanqi has launched a 7-speed dual clutch box.

Dragon, modern is expected to carry 8-speed gearbox

Shenlong new car will change 4 new gearboxes with 8-speed dual clutch

Shenlong’s strategy for power innovation is called “E-movement strategy.” This strategy has completed the upgrading of the engine, and will completely replace the new generation of transmissions on the basis of the new engine.

Previously, the models produced by Shenlong Automotive had been using 4-speed automatic transmissions, but with the advancement of automotive power technology and the speeding up of competitors' update of powertrains, they had been unable to handle them. Therefore, Shenlong Motors adopted Aishin 6-speed automatic transmission. box. Currently, Shenlong has put into production the third generation AT6 automatic transmission from Aisin. Compared with the gearboxes used in existing models, it will further improve the handling performance of the vehicle and reduce the fuel consumption of vehicles. It is estimated that by 2018, advanced gearboxes including DCT dual clutch gearboxes, 8-speed automatic gearboxes and hybrid automatic gearboxes will be successively installed in the Shenlong automotive series.

Modern R & D 8-speed gearbox

Hyundai Motor Co., Ltd. has a variety of models equipped with a 7-speed dual clutch transmission, such as the new Tucson, the ninth generation of Sonata, etc., Recently, Hyundai Motor's new 8-speed automatic transmission was officially released. It is understood that this 8AT gearbox is specially developed for the front-wheel drive, and its fuel consumption performance is improved by 7.3% compared to the six-speed automatic transmission. In the future, the Beijing-based Hyundai and Hyundai Motor (China)'s Ruiqi, the ninth generation Sonata, Phase One-T, etc. 10 front-wheel drive vehicles are expected to carry this new product.

GM, Ford, and Honda are developing 10-speed automatic transmissions

Honda, General Motors and Ford are currently developing 10-speed automatic transmissions.

Universal

According to the SAIC-GM plan, the average fuel consumption of the product in 2020 will be reduced by 25%-30% on the current basis, and the average performance will increase by 11%. To this end, SAIC General Motors will invest 2.65 billion yuan in the next five years for the development of high-efficiency powertrains and new energy technologies. It will introduce 13 engines and 9 gearboxes, and gradually introduce 8-, 9-, and 10-speed gearboxes.

In addition, the GM-based models equipped with automatic transmissions are based on 6AT and DCG 7-speed dual-clutch gearboxes, and no models are equipped with CVT gearboxes. In overseas, only a small number of models such as the Chevrolet Spark are equipped with a CVT transmission, and it is not an independently developed product. SAIC GM released the "Green Future" strategic plan for 2016-2020 this year. One of the important contents is to vigorously promote the high-efficiency powertrain. Related news shows that GM is independently researching and developing the CVT gearbox and has good fuel economy. China will spend a large sum of money to build a "CVT transmission project." After the completion of the project, it will add 450,000 units/year of transmission capacity. The GM's small-displacement models are expected to carry this gearbox.

Ford

As for Ford, already announced that it will use a 10-speed automatic transmission on the 2015 Ford Mustang and the 2017 F-150 Raptor. At the same time, Ford has also obtained a patent for an 11-speed transmission. However, according to a global vice president and chief technology officer, the patent application is only for the protection of property rights. This does not mean that Ford is conducting 11-speed gearbox research and development. In addition, Ford and GM have conducted in-depth cooperation on multi-range automatic transmissions. In addition to the new Ford Mustang sports car and F-150 pickup will be equipped with a new 10-speed automatic transmission, Ford will also share this new 10-speed automatic transmission with General Motors, so GM's models will also use this one after another Vertical 10AT. In exchange, GM will provide a 9-speed transverse gearbox for Ford's predecessor models.

Honda

At present, most of Honda's models are equipped with 6AT, 5MT and CVT transmissions in the transmission system. Among them, the 6AT gear set is Honda's parallel shaft arrangement, which is similar to the layout of a conventional manual transmission and has an automatic shift function. In fact, the parallel shaft 6AT is the performance of Honda's technical strength. With the increase of the gear position, the three-axis structure of the parallel axis automatic transmission can not guarantee the Honda MM concept (ie, the occupant space is maximized and the mechanical space is miniaturized). Therefore, Honda's latest The 10AT uses a planetary gear structure.

A few days ago, Honda demonstrated the first 10AT gearbox for the transversal power on the occasion of the 44th Tokyo Motor Show. This transmission is suitable for front-driver models. After sorting through Honda's models, it was discovered that there are 18 models of pre-driver models and that these models are expected to carry 10AT transmissions.

Volkswagen Cancels Development of 10-Speed ​​DSG Transmission

In terms of powertrain, Volkswagen has always ensured its leading position with the maturity and comprehensiveness of technology. Among them, the EA211 series engine developed based on the latest MQB platform of German Volkswagen AG is the core technology of Volkswagen's "Blue Drive Technology", and the gearboxes such as the MQ200 and MQ250 are also known for their smooth shift and excellent feel. According to earlier information, Volkswagen has planned to install a 10-speed DSG gearbox on the new Passat, the eighth generation of golf and other models.

However, there was news from foreign media that the insider of the Volkswagen Group revealed to outsiders that the current development plan for the 10-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission has been cancelled.

The reason why the public will cancel the development plan of the 10-speed DSG dual-clutch transmission, the fundamental reason is that the development of the 10-speed DSG is too expensive, the production process is complex, and the future input-output ratio may not be optimistic.

In addition to the general public, BMW has also decided not to develop 9- or 10-speed transmissions, but Mercedes-Benz has begun mass-production of 9-speed automatic transmissions in mass production vehicles.

In fact, there has been controversy about the 10-speed transmission. Although everyone is curious about the high-range transmission, it is also questioning whether it is possible to use such a high gear at ordinary times. Higher specifications mean higher costs. It is questionable whether to buy or buy. In addition, R&D expenses are also a big problem for companies. Even Volkswagen BMW is prepared to give up enough difficulty to see it. Of course, if you really feel that you are a local tyrant, you have to study it and nobody will stop. This kind of company can learn GM and Ford to consider sharing technology.