There's no doubt that there are a lot of advances in powertrain technology that will improve the efficiency of vehicles over the next few years. There are near-term features like direct fuel injection, turbocharging and dual clutch transmissions. Other features like start stop systems and electrification of accessory drives will help too. The problem is these features all add cost to the vehicle. If consumers don't buy vehicles equipped with this kind of technology, there is no net benefit. Ernie DeVincent VP of Getrag spoke at the SAE World Congress this week and said that automakers have to do more than just put the new features on vehicles, they have to market it as well. New technology has always been something that has helped sell vehicles and it's more important than ever now. While some of changes may not provide as much improvement as a diesel or full hybrid system, their lower cost means that far more buyers can afford it. The aggregate improvement from 7-8 million vehicles a year with a 15 percent improvement in efficiency is far greater than 300,000 cars that get a 30 percent boost.

[Source: Ward's Auto World]

click above image to view high-res gallery of 2009 Dodge Journey

When Chrysler announced the new Dodge Journey cross-over early last week, we skipped over it hear here on ABG. However a second look at the specs revealed something of interest, at least to non-American drivers. While the home market is limited to the 2.4L four cylinder and 2.7L and 23.5L V-6s with automatic transmissions, overseas customers get the option of a 2.0L turbo-diesel engine mated to a six-speed dual-clutch gearbox. The DCT was developed with Getrag, but Americans will probably have to wait until the new transmission plant in Indiana is ready in 2009. The dual clutch box should provide about a six percent improvement in fuel efficiency over a conventional torque converter automatic.

[Source: Chrysler]

Earlier this week, after the groundbreaking for Chrysler's new axle plant near Marysville, Michigan, company spokesman David Elshoff spoke to the Worldwide Automotive Report. The new axles to be built at the plant are designed to help improve the fuel efficiency of both the Chrysler and Mercedes cars and trucks they go into.

On Wednesday, Chrysler will also be breaking ground for an engine plant in Trenton, MI to build new, more-efficient V-6 engines. One interesting thing that Elshoff mentioned at the end of the interview was the forthcoming dual clutch transmission that Chrysler will be using. That's the first mention I've heard about the dual clutch units (like the VW DSG gearbox) in a Chrysler vehicle. No other details were mentioned but the new axles and engines are due in 2010 so presumably the new gearboxes will come at the same time.

[Source: World Wide Automotive Report]

Late next year, dual clutch gearboxes will cease to be a Volkswagen Group exclusive when Volvo introduces a similar design in their S40/V50 models. The dual clutch gearbox first appeared in the mid-1980s in some Porsche 962 endurance racers and Audi Quattro rally cars. They disappeared through most of the 1990s until a few years ago when they started appearing on some VW and Audi models. Since then they have become a popular option where they're available. Since they're essentially the same as manual gearboxes with a mechanical connection to the engine, they have all the efficiency advantages of stick shifting. However, the dual clutch layout allows for faster shifting without complete disengagement and easy automation.

The box that Volvo will use is built by Getrag while Borg-Warner supplies the Volkswagen units. Initially availability will be limited to diesel engined variants, but it will expand to gas engined units and other vehicles built from the same platform such as the European Focus, the new Freelander and the Mazda 3. Eventually the gearbox may also appear in US Ford models. The dual clutch box offers a ten percent boost in fuel economy compared to a conventional automatic transmission. Given the timing this probably means that some patents on the original dual clutch design are probably expiring which is allowing Getrag to hop on this bandwagon. Hopefully it's just a matter of time before these transmissions become more widespread.

[Source: Automotive News - subscription req'd]