DRIVETRAIN TECHNOLOGY IN "FOREFRONT"

Improved transmissions can provide fuel economy improvement without sacrificing performance and driveability beyond consumer demands. On Volkswagen's 1981 European Golf, Passat, and Scirocco lines, an optional electronic device signals the driver when to shift for maximum fuel economy. GM Cadillac, Chrysler Imperial, and Ford LTD and Mark VI 1981 models come with electronic displays which give instantaneous mpg figures. General Motors offers a four-speed automatic transmission with overdrive on 1981 standard rear-drive models, both for V-8's and V-6's. A microprocessor operates the converter clutch; engine speed is reduced 14% to 19% at cruising speeds. Ford is expanding use of its split-torque automatic overdrive (AOD) system in 1981. U.S. automakers now face the challenge of providing the same transmission efficiency in downsized front-wheel drive (fwd) cars. Four-speed AOD's would require new packaging of fwd transaxles, with space and weight at a premium and huge investment costs involved. The logical direction is electronically controlled continuously variable transmissions, which offer a 15% to 20% mpg gain. In manual transmissions, Ford and Chrysler are following GM's lead by using wide-ratio gearing and only four speeds on fwd models.

• Availability:
  • Find a library where document is available. Order URL: http://worldcat.org/oclc/2244862
• Supplemental Notes:
  • At head of title: Technical Takeout Special Report.
• Corporate Authors:

  Ward's Communications Incorporated

  28 West Adams Street
  Detroit, MI  United States  48226
• Authors:
  • Waddell, R L
• Publication Date: 1980-10

Media Info

• Features: References;
• Pagination: 2 p.
• Serial:
  • Ward's Auto World
  • Volume: 16
  • Issue Number: 10
  • Publisher: Ward's Communications
  • ISSN: 0043-0315
  • Serial URL: http://wardsauto.com

Subject/Index Terms

• TRT Terms: Automatic transmissions; Electronic control; Front wheel drive; Fuel consumption; Power trains; State of the art studies; Vehicle drive systems; Vehicle power plants
• Old TRIS Terms: Automobile engines; Variable speed drives
• Subject Areas: Energy; Safety and Human Factors; Vehicles and Equipment;

Filing Info

• Accession Number: 00371385
• Record Type: Publication
• Source Agency: National Highway Traffic Safety Administration
• Report/Paper Numbers: HS-030 580
• Files: HSL, USDOT
• Created Date: Mar 31 1983 12:00AM