Volvo is now offering a Getrag Powershift dual clutch transmission in its smaller cars - the C30, S40 and V50. The new gearbox is paired up with a 2.0L four cylinder turbodiesel. Volvo is using a six-speed wet clutch unit with a torque capacity of 332lb-ft. The diesel engine is rated at 136hp and 236lb-ft of torque and yields combined mileage ratings of 39.2mpg (U.S.) in the C30 and 39.9mpg in the sedan and wagon models. Those are improvements of about 8 percent in comparison to a conventional automatic transmission. The dual clutch transmission has an advantage over conventional automatics because it eliminates the losses inherent in a torque converter and provides greater flexibility in gear ratio selection. Compared to a conventional manual transmission, the faster shifts and electronic control provide efficiency increases as well. Unfortunately for American drivers, we can't get the diesel here (yet) but we will be getting the Powershift gearboxes in the not too distant future, perhaps in conjunction with the launch of the Fiesta.

[Source: Volvo]

Getrag has partnered with Bosch to develop a further enhancement of their PowerShift dual clutch transmissions. At the Frankfurt Motor Show last week they announced a hybrid DCT that mates an electric motor/generator to the side of the transmission. The motor is mounted parallel to the transmission shafts and is connected via an electro-magnetic clutch that allows it to connect to either of the two gear sets. The system enables full parallel hybrid functionality including power-boost, regenerative braking and electric only driving. The modular design allows for scaling of the motor output by simply using longer or shorter motors.

Related:

• Getrag dual clutch gearboxes could hit 2 million a year by 2014!

[Source: Getrag]

The burgeoning interest in dual clutch gearboxes should be big business for Getrag over the next few years. Because a dual clutch transmission (DCT) combines the greater efficiency of a manual with full automatic shift capability they are being installed in more vehicles all the time. The first widespread use of DCTs was on Volkswagen and Audi models in the last few years with their Borg-Warner-built DSG units.

For 2008, Volvo is adding a DCT to the S40 and V50 while Ford is also adding one to the Focus equipped with a new 2.0L turbodiesel. Chrysler is also installing a DCT in European-spec models of the new Dodge Journey CUV. By 2010 Getrag expects to sell 500,000 DCTs a year growing to 2 million by 2014. That doesn't include the 700,000 units that will come from the Chrysler-Getrag joint venture starting in 2009.

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]

Automotive supplier Robert Bosch GmbH is hoping to grab a significant chunk of new business over the next decade as hybrids and diesels take up a bigger share of the automotive market. Bosch is forecasting that hybrids will take four percent of the North American market and nine percent of the Japanese market by 2015. That's considerably more than the current sub-one percent and four percent shares.

Bosch has assigned over 250 engineers to hybrid development including creating modular components that auto-makers can purchase to apply to their vehicles. The Bosch parallel hybrid system is being developed as an electric motor/generator module that can be combined with existing transmissions. This differs from most current production hybrid systems where the electric drive hardware is incorporated into the transmission.

Bosch is also teaming up with transmission manufacturer to develop a hybrid setup to work with their dual clutch transmissions. Bosch says they have customer deals for both gas and diesel hybrids although they haven't announced who they are yet.

Related:

• Bosch chairman doesn't see hybrids making a dent in CO2
• Bosch, Siemens VDO, Delphi predict GDI sales will get boost from new emissions rules

[Source: Automotive News - Sub. req'd]

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]