| Author | Message | ||
     Ccryder |
I didn't realize how great the 6 speed auto-trans on my Fiesta is until the snow last week! Not having a front wheel drive in 7 years I didn't know what to expect during 5" of snow. Down hill is the worst for me. I needed some engine braking going down hill. My only choice was to drop the trans into low (no other choices b/t D & L). Keeping a steady throttle, the trans down shifted seamlessly without even a hint of jerk grab or anything to upset traction! I was really impressed, all the double clutching and blipping throttle I could have done would not match how smooth and seamless the multiple downshifts are. I backed off the throttle and just utilized the engine braking to slow my decent on the icy road. Too bad the 4x4 pickup behind me wasn't so lucky. He ended up all over both lanes and in/ out of the ditches. Guess 4x4 doesn't work as good on ice and snow pack. BTW this hill has 2-3 crosses on the Oak trees, a deadly reminder for sure!! Anyway I'm sold and I still get 39-42mpg!!! Later Neil S. | ||
| Buellerandy |
Congrats. | ||
| Boogiman1981 |
cool deal glad it works for ya | ||
| Sifo |
We just got a new Escape this weekend for my wife. Same sort of 6 speed trans with D & L. I've been wondering how the L works when you down shift at speed. Haven't really had a chance to play with it much yet. I did take it on an errand down the expressway and the computer showed 31 mpg cruising at 65 mph. I checked out the Fiesta while at the dealer. That may just be my choice in a year or two as my current ride ages. We've had GM cars for years and years. I really like what Ford is offering right now though, and appreciate that they didn't take a bail out. That earns them my money. | ||
| Ccryder |
My wife also has a 2010 Escape. Try the D to L just keep the throttle steady and it waaaay smooth. At -40mpg and GREAT road manners, the Fiesta is some of the most fun on 4 wheels for under $18k with great sound! You will surprised how well they corner with very little body roll yet still with great ride quality. Later Neil S. | ||
| Ccryder |
My step-son from LA is here for Christmas. He got to loose his snow cherry with the Fiesta. Almost too much fun for sure. I pulled the D-L trick on him and that brought a grin to his face. He was really impressed with the Sync system. He felt as far as sound it was as good as his premimum sound system in his 11' Jetta. Maybe we can bring him back to USA reality when he has to pay a 100% of his own way. He is a good kid but needs a dose of reality sometimes. He got a kick out of 30+ rounds thru the Cobray, some 00 buck in the 12ga and 50 rnds with the AR. He knows where to go when the Zombies attack (LOL). Gotta run Neil S. | ||
| Sifo |
He got a kick out of 30+ rounds thru the Cobray, some 00 buck in the 12ga and 50 rnds with the AR. He knows where to go when the Zombies attack (LOL). We spent Sunday afternoon blasting off the arsenal too. We had a great spread including a pair of .22 pistols, .38 revolver, .357 revolver, 9MM, 1911 .45, a 12 gauge for some skeet, and my personal favorite was a 50 cal. muzzle loader hand gun. Great way to spend the day after Christmas, shooting with family and friends! | ||
| Crackhead |
The Escape uses the 6F35 (designed with GM) and is completely different from the 6speed dual clutch Fiesta trans. I have heard good things about the 6F series trans and it is used in heavier and more powerful minivans aka crossovers. Flex, Edge, Taurus, MKX. | ||
| Sifo |
The Escape uses the 6F35 (designed with GM) and is completely different from the 6speed dual clutch Fiesta trans. That would explain my experience driving the new Escape this weekend. I tried controlling speed on some hills by shifting to "L" and didn't find it to be all that smooth like described in the Fiesta. The final shift when it went into first was actually a bit harsh in fact. I was actually hoping for some winter type weather to hit so I could get a feel for how the stability control works. The roads stayed pretty clean for my travels though. Still learning about the Sync system. That is a geek's wet dream. I'll never use it to it's potential, but still there's features that I really like in there. I really like the idea of loading over a thousand songs onto a memory stick and sticking it into the USB port in the dash for days worth of music. Very comfortable on a long road trip too! I think Ford is making some great vehicles right now.  I did find it interesting that while the Fiesta is a shared platform with the Mazda 2, there's little shared in the running gear. It looks to me like Ford has the edge on the Mazda with almost everything except the brakes where Mazda has 4 wheel discs and Ford opted for rear drums. | ||
| Ccryder |
So is $36/hp high or low for a 7% gain on hp? Plus better MPG.  IMHO it doesn't seem too steep since you don't have retune the ECM. Not bad looking either:  I'll just have to wait on some reviews. Later Neil S. (Message edited by ccryder on December 29, 2010) | ||
| Ccryder |
Just a little background: March 30, 2010 - Helping deliver on Ford Motor Company's commitment to class-leading fuel economy and exceptional driving quality, production is launching today of the PowerShift dual-clutch automatic transmission for the 2011 Ford Fiesta. The new dual-clutch automatic – the first six-speed transmission in the segment – will help the stylish Fiesta to deliver an expected best-in-class fuel economy rating of at least 40 mpg on the highway with the convenience of fully automatic shifting. The PowerShift automatic is produced for Ford by GETRAG Americas, a joint venture between the GETRAG Group and GETRAG FORD Transmissions. The transmission is built at a new facility in Irapuato, Mexico. The assembly plant was designed and constructed specifically for Ford transmission needs in North America and will also supply PowerShift units for the new Ford Focus. When Focus transmission production begins later this year, the plant will have 400 workers, double the amount that it has now. Next-generation Focus production begins later this year at Ford's Michigan Assembly Plant in Wayne, Mich. "We believe this new automatic transmission for the Fiesta will be the most advanced in the segment, offering far better performance than our competitors," said Piero Aversa, team leader for PowerShift development. "It's an advanced gearbox that reduces complexity, saves weight, increases responsiveness and performance – all while helping keep the engine in its peak efficiency mode – resulting in class-leading fuel economy." Ford eliminating automatic transmission tradeoffs The Fiesta is the second new Ford vehicle to deliver better fuel economy using an automatic transmission rather than a manual. The new six-speed automatic in the 2011 Mustang Coupe betters the highway fuel economy of the standard six-speed manual by 2 mpg. Traditionally, manual transmissions have delivered higher fuel economy. But Ford's latest automatic transmission advancements have reversed the decades-old scenario, using advanced technology to provide customers with exceptional efficiency and the convenience of an automatic transmission. With an array of new automatic transmission technologies, Ford is out to challenge the status quo by delivering segment-leading fuel economy without compromise to convenience, and accessibility to a much broader segment of the driving public. Fewer drivers possess stick-shift skills, as manual transmission market acceptance continues to drop, falling 22 percent over the last decade. "Ford's advanced new six-speed automatic transmissions will really surprise our customers, and our competitors," said Barb Samardzich, vice president of Powertrain Development. "They provide the convenience of traditional automatics with fuel economy leadership, as well as responsive performance and driving dynamics that make these cars fun to drive. And we're adding six-speed transmissions to our most accessible vehicles, not just our luxury offerings and high-performance models." Ford is committed to six-speed transmissions, with availability across 85 percent of its nameplates for 2010. By 2013, these fuel-saving, performance-enhancing six-speed transmissions will be offered in 100 percent of Ford vehicles. About PowerShift The dual dry-clutch PowerShift automatic transmission is based on efficient manual transmission technology, eliminating the additional weight and complexity of a torque converter, planetary gears and the fluid pumps employed in traditional automatics. Electronically controlled, twin internal clutches shift gears quickly and smoothly, providing a seamless flow of torque with the refinement and ease customers expect from a premium automatic transmission. On sale this summer, the Ford Fiesta with PowerShift, in combination with an advanced 1.6-liter I-4 engine, is expected to deliver fuel efficiency of at least 40 mpg on the highway. Fiesta will be the only vehicle in the segment to offer the efficiency and the fun of a sophisticated six-speed automatic transmission. Coming to market early in 2011, the new Ford Focus will combine an innovative, direct-injection 2.0-liter four-cylinder engine with PowerShift to deliver better overall performance and projected fuel economy gains of up to 10 percent over the current Focus 2.0-liter powertrain. "A dual dry-clutch transmission provides some real dividends on small car applications," said Aversa. "PowerShift with dry-clutch facings and new energy-saving electromechanical actuation for clutches and gear shifts saves weight, improves efficiency, increases smoothness, adds durability and is sealed with low-friction gear lubricant for the life of the vehicle. This transmission requires no regular maintenance." | ||
| Aesquire |
I have the DSG dual clutch auto in my '09 VW TDI. Rocks. Best auto I've ever used, shifts faster than you can blink, manual mode is just as fast. ( if it lets you shift. It's programmed not to let you be stupid. ) Sport mode is bolder than I usually am in a car. The new breed of tranny's locks up when in gear, so mileage can be even better than a manual, with better for economy shift patterns ( except in VW Sport mode! ) and no wasted energy from the torque converter. I'm slowly becoming a Ford fan. | ||
| Aesquire |
Ccryder, bolts in the stock location? Does it get cold air? $36 is a good price if it doesn't mess with emissions, and actually gains any power. | ||
| Ccryder |
$36 per hp. Total is $250 for 7hp. Even better mpg and a smoother torque curve. Time2 Bar-B-Q Neil |
