Ford’s new PowerShift transmission blends the sporty feel of a manual transmission with the convenience of an automatic. But it has also been an important factor in helping the Fiesta achieve its class-leading fuel economy.
The PowerShift weighs nearly 30 pounds less than the four-speed automatic transmission in the current 2011 Focus. Less weight ultimately helps improve fuel economy. Additionally, the PowerShift is also the most sophisticated transmission ever offered by the Blue Oval, and it helps the Fiesta and the all-new 2012 Focus get as much as 40 miles per gallon on the highway.
“The Ford PowerShift transmission is a technological leap over the competition,” said Piero Aversa, PowerShift engineering manager. “Now that it’s available in the new Focus as well as Fiesta, PowerShift gives us two great small cars that not only lead in fuel economy, but are more fun to drive as well.”
The PowerShift is equipped with numerous features that are designed to boost fuel economy and improve performance, including:
- Torque Hole Fill: A Ford-developed and patented innovation that eliminates the slight hesitation drivers feel during acceleration when the transmission upshifts into a higher gear. PowerShift delivers torque seamlessly for uninterrupted acceleration
- Hill Start Assist: If sensors detect the Fiesta or Focus on a slope of 5 degrees or more, Hill Start Assist automatically prevents the car from rolling backward in the instant when the driver moves their foot from the brake to the accelerator
- Neutral idle: This feature helps improve fuel economy by eliminating the drag a traditional hydraulic transmission puts on the engine when a vehicle is idling
- Reduced weight: PowerShift weighs significantly less than previous four-speed automatic transmissions
The PowerShift transmission is currently offered in Ford vehicles sold around the world.
You must log in to post a comment.