BorgWarner Dual-Clutch Transmission Design for Small Cars

From BorgWarner press release:

BorgWarner (NYSE: BWA) is revolutionizing the transmission market. A new new dual-clutch transmission for developing markets and small cars is in the final development stages at BorgWarner.

Working in conjunction with several Asian automakers, BorgWarner will be providing patent-pending dual-clutch transmission architecture that delivers fuel efficiency in an affordable package ideal for the growing small car demand in developing markets.

"Drivers in developing markets like China and India are looking for the ease of using an automatic transmission in an affordable vehicle," said Dr. Bernd Matthes, President and General Manager, BorgWarner Transmission Systems. "Up until now, the complexity and cost of automatic transmissions made it impractical to package this option in smaller cars. With BorgWarner's new design, we can deliver the responsive, fuel-efficient, fun-to drive characteristics of a dual-clutch transmission in a smaller, more affordable package. The unique architecture of our compact dual-clutch transmission is expected to expand the use of automatic transmissions in emerging markets. Test results with this transmission indicate a 13% fuel efficiency improvement, better top-end speed and a significant improvement in acceleration over automatic transmissions currently in production."

BorgWarner's compact DualTronic(R) dual-clutch transmission design is expected to provide similar performance and efficiency to the driving experience in small and sub-compact cars that made its original dual-clutch technology attractive in larger vehicles. At the same time, the company is significantly reducing the complexity of the transmission hardware.  . . .

BorgWarner is currently testing and refining its first phase transmission hardware and controls software. BorgWarner expects production implementation of its new compact dual-clutch transmission design within two to three years.

The patent-pending "power split" design of the new transmission uses a large number of common and simplified parts and modules which enhance the affordability of the transmission, the ease of packaging in small vehicles and the manufacturability of the transmission in emerging markets. The small vehicle segment is expected to grow 30% over the next five years from about 19 million to almost 25 million cars.  . . .

At full-launch of announced programs, the company will be providing its innovative DualTronic(R) technology to an expected 2.3 million dual-clutch transmissions per year. The company launched the first commercial production of dual-clutch transmission technology in Europe in 2003 with VW/Audi. Today, BorgWarner is working on over 20 programs with transmission and vehicle makers around the world. . . .

The technology combines the efficiency of a manual gearbox with the functionality of a fully automatic transmission, delivering seamless powerflow, improved fuel efficiency, and a fun-to-drive experience.  . . .

Comments

[eric]

This smells like marketing. In most parts of the world, driving a manual is no big deal. Only Americans seem to have problems with the concept. Although if you actually *try* and find a car with a manual, you will have a hard time. In many cases the manufacturers assume that people don't want the manual, so they don't ship them to dealers, which forces buyers to take the automatic, which reinforces the perception that Americans won't drive a manual.

[Frank FFT Fuel-Saver]

Wow It is about time! An efficient and fuel saving option for the rest of us. I can't wait to get one. Up until now one would have to spend over 30k to get this in an Audi TT. Thants over my budget.

The 13% fuel savings only makes this even sweeter.

[Petey]

Still quite a few moving parts compared to an all-electric drive-train!

[Luttkus]

Yeh, my optimistic reaction was "too little too late" as I am hopeful developing countries will embrace all-electric cars for many reasons including air pollution and peak oil. Of course, prestige factors of a developing middle to upper middle class in developing countries may drive demand for traditional gas powered status symbols, giving this product a potential return on the R&D investment. Watch for the marketing, advertising and branding efforts to ramp up.

[Arak]

Actually, a simple and inexpensive transmission woud be very useful to electics that aren't direct drive. Two or three speed would be good enough however.

I would definately consider it for my 3 wheel EV design.

[C K]

Audi / VW has had a transmission like this for 5 years now... How in the world could it take them so long to catch up.

The DSG, now called Sport-tronic or Sportronic, is a dual clutch transmission. In doing a bit of research, the DSG is superior in one very important way [to me]... world's fastest shifting transmission in a production car.

I've now owned 3 vehicles with this transmission and can attest to the absolutely beauty of it.

Now I'll just wait for the 7-speed version that's coming out early 2008.

[Cyril R.]

How does this compare to a CVT?

[丰胸]

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[merchant services]

That is light! I wonder if it can hold the whole machine.

[“Engine & Transmission World”]

Hi,
I really interested to your post. It is really impressive. You gave me a lot of information about it.
Thanks
Christopher

“Engine and Transmission World”

[CGS Motorsports]

Who said that cars won't be as tiny as a microchip? The evolution of innovations in cars is slowly giving way to this concept.

[tenis nike shox]

Foi incrivel este artigo tenis oakley e tambem este tenis nike estou super feliz por tudo.

[honda lease los angeles]

Very interesting ! I've never seen a dual clutch like that before.

[md Mahabub]

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