While many high-end autos are boasting seven or even eight gears in their transmissions, mainstream vehicles often are saddled with units including only half that many. The lack of mechanical gear ratios is rather detrimental to fuel economy, so we're happy to see that Ford is launching more six-speed units for both front- and rear-wheel-drive applications. The new 2009 F-150 will feature a six-speed, and considering the huge sales numbers of that vehicle, the 4 to 6 percent improvement in fuel efficiency on average should translate into a good deal of fuel savings. Also slated for six-speeders are the Ford Escape and Mercury Mariners when powered by the gasoline engine. The hybrids will continue to use a CVT.

Ford is also planning on bringing their dual-clutch Powershift transmission to America for upcoming models. The Powershift is available oversees already in the Euro Focus and is capable of providing a 10 percent decrease in fuel mileage.

One of Ford's most important debuts at the upcoming Detroit Auto Show is the new 2009 F-150. While Ford doesn't have a gas-electric hybrid system suitable for big trucks like GM's Two-Mode system, they will have offer some technology to improve fuel economy and emissions. Back in 2002 at the Detroit Show, Ford showed a concept called the F-350 Tonka. The Tonka truck featured a technology called hydraulic-launch-assist (HLA) which will debut on the new F-150.

The HLA system functions in much the same way as the hydraulic hybrid system we saw on an experimental UPS delivery truck earlier this year. A hydraulic pump/motor is connected to the drive shaft along with a high pressure accumulator. During braking the pump/motor is driven to pressurize the accumulator and recapture kinetic energy. During acceleration the pressure is used to drive the motor and provide a boost so the engine doesn't have to work as hard. Essentially it acts as a mild hybrid system without the automatic start-stop functionality. At this point it's not known if start/stop will also be included. The press release on the original concept is after the jump.

[Source: All Cars, All the Time]