mikeyb
11-10-2005, 08:49 AM
http://www.americancarfans.com/news/2051110.002/2051110.002.Mini1L.jpg
http://www.americancarfans.com/news/2051110.002/2051110.002.Mini2L.jpg
http://www.americancarfans.com/news/2051110.002/2051110.002.Mini3L.jpg
http://www.americancarfans.com/news/2051110.002/2051110.002.Mini4L.jpg
Innovation in Overdrive<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">New 3.5-liter V-6 engine to power one in five Ford vehicles by the end of the decade – including the new Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator crossover utility vehicles next year <O:p</O:p<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">Ford leads the way with a new 6-speed automatic transaxle that saves fuel – up to 7 percent in highway driving and nearly two tanks of gas a year compared with typical 4-speed automatics <O:p</O:p<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">Work begins on Ford’s third-generation hybrid technology for future I-4 and V-6 engines <O:p</O:p
Ford’s hybrid leadership continues with the debut of Escape Hybrid taxis in New York City</ST1:p<O:p</O:p</FONT>
<O:p</O:p
Building on its promise to make innovation the compass that sets the company’s future direction, Ford today unveiled a new engine, new 6-speed automatic transaxle and more hybrid plans that bring fuel economy and performance to the next generation of vehicles. <O:p</O:p
“As Bill Ford has promised, Ford plans to be first in delivering innovative products to our customers – products that are stylish in design, safer for families, first in technology with new fuels and better efficiency, and first in offering new services to consumers,” says Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Product Development. “That commitment includes innovation in the powertrain lineup that we’ll be offering beginning next year.” <O:p</O:p
New 3.5-Liter V-6<O:p</O:p
Ford next year will introduce two new breakthrough crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) – the Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator – equipped with an all-new 3.5-liter V-6 engine and new 6-speed transaxle. The new V-6 engine will be a powertrain cornerstone for Ford Motor Company, eventually powering one in every five Ford Motor Company vehicles on the road by the end of the decade. <O:p</O:p
The new 3.5-liter V-6 was designed to deliver the best combination of fuel economy, refinement and performance for the customer and be compact enough to fit into a variety of vehicles. The height and width of the engine is the same as the smaller displacement Duratec 30 V-6. <O:p</O:p
The engine produces 250 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque in its CUV applications. It uses a dual-overhead cam valvetrain for peak power capability and smooth operation at high RPM. It incorporates intake variable cam timing to optimize fuel economy by adjusting valve timing for a smooth idle, optimal part-load driving and an impressively broad torque curve with good power. <O:p</O:p
In anticipation of future needs, the new V-6 has been designed to accommodate advanced technologies, including gasoline direct injection and turbo charging. <O:p</O:p
<FONT size=2>The engine will be built in the fall of 2006 at Ford’s <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com /><st1:City><ST1<IMG class=inlineimg title=<font face=" /><st1:City><ST1:p<FONT face=Arial>Lima</FONT></ST1:p</st1:City><FONT face=Arial> (</FONT><st1:State><ST1:p<FONT face=Arial>Ohio</FONT></ST1:p</st1:State><FONT face=Arial>) Engine Plant. <O:p</O:p</FONT></FONT>
6F 6-Speed Transaxle<O:p</O:p
Ford also underscored its leadership in fuel-saving transmissions with the reveal of a new 6-speed for the new Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator. Ford is an industry leader in 6-speed transmissions with 24 nameplates already offered with the highly efficient technology. <O:p</O:p
Six-speed automatic transaxles improve performance and fuel economy. It is estimated that, for every 500,000 6-speeds – rather than traditional 4-speeds – fitted to vehicles, 12 million gallons of fuel can be saved annually (based on 25 mpg combined fuel economy for 15,000 miles). <O:p</O:p
The enhanced performance and fuel economy of the new 6F comes from a wide span of 6.04 between the transaxle’s lowest and highest gear ratio. The high ratio span helps deliver improved fuel economy of up to 7 percent and improved sustained acceleration compared with a typical 4-speed automatic. <O:p</O:p
The new 6F will be fitted to the 3.5-liter V-6 in the Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator. The combination delivers optimal fuel economy and powerful performance combined with smooth, refined and quiet shifts. <O:p</O:p
The new Ford 6F will be built at Ford’s Van Dyke (<st1:State><ST1:pMich.</ST1:p</st1:State>) Transmission Plant. <O:p</O:p
More News on Hybrids<O:p</O:p
Ford also took another step toward delivering on its commitment of putting 250,000 hybrid vehicles a year on the road by 2010 with the announcement that engineering work already is under way on a third-generation hybrid transaxle – one developed using Ford’s in-house hybrid expertise. <O:p</O:p
Engineered in <st1:City><ST1:place>Dearborn</ST1:place></st1:City>, the new hybrid transaxle will be capable of handling both 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines for future vehicles. <O:p</O:p
In addition, Ford announced that the Ford Escape Hybrid would debut this week as the first hybrid taxi carrying passengers throughout the five boroughs of <st1:City><ST1:place>New York City</ST1:place></st1:City>. Ford, the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission and the Coalition for Smart Transportation will mark the milestone on Thursday. <O:p</O:p
New fuel saving 6-speed transaxle to propel Ford Edge to head of crossover utility class <O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator to debut next year with new class-leading 6F 6-speed transaxle <O:p</O:p
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in">New 6-peed delivers up to 7 percent improvement in highway fuel economy – nearly two tanks of gas a year compared with typical 4-speed automatics <O:p</O:p
Ford Motor Company today is an industry leader in 6-speeds with 24 nameplates offered – and more are on the way
With consumers focused on gas prices, the market is demanding more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies. Ford Motor Company’s innovative new 6F 6-speed automatic transaxle delivers just that – with up to a 7 percent improvement in highway fuel economy and more refined performance at the same time. <O:p</O:p
Ford Motor Company today is an industry leader in 6-speed technology with 24 nameplates offered – and more coming next year, including two new crossover utility vehicles (CUVs). <O:p</O:p
“Ford Motor Company will pace the industry in advanced transaxles, which provide increased performance and increased fuel economy,” says Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president of Powertrain Operations. “With the introduction of the Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator crossovers next year, our 6-speed leadership continues, and we have more on the way.” The new 6F was developed to cover a wide range of vehicle applications. It initially will be teamed with the new 3.5-liter V-6 in the Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator CUVs. The transaxle also is designed to handle up to 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque with shift speeds up to 7,000 rpm. <O:p</O:p
The enhanced performance and fuel economy of the 6F comes from a wide span of 6.04 between the transaxle’s lowest and highest gear ratio. The high ratio span helps deliver improved fuel economy and improved acceleration compared with a typical 4-speed automatic. <O:p</O:p
“Not only do the smaller ratio step sizes of a 6-speed transaxle allow for better powertrain efficiency, but they enable smoother shifts as well,” says Ram Krishnaswami, manager 6F Transaxle Systems, Automatic Transmission Engineering. <O:p</O:p
The new 6F front-drive 6-speed delivers on the two most important attributes that today’s consumers look for in a vehicle: fuel economy and maximum performance. <O:p></O:p>
These characteristics are delivered by a low 4.48 gear for satisfying acceleration at launch and a tall, 0.74 overdrive for exceptional fuel economy. Short steps between intermediate gears enhance performance and feel by finding the right gear for the most efficient operating conditions. The smooth shifts reduce harshness and reduce overall NVH. <O:p</O:p
Development of the new 6F transaxle is the result of a collaborative effort between Ford and General Motors. Co-development of the transaxle resulted in a common approach to design and manufacturing engineering. Despite using common suppliers for a majority of parts to leverage economies of scale, both companies are utilizing unique controls and calibrations to tailor the shift feel of the transaxle to fit their brand characteristics. <O:p</O:p
Improved NVH and Refinement<O:p</O:p
The elimination of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) was a particular target for the development team. Extensive use of CAE modeling on the transaxle case built a solid housing for the transaxle components. <O:p</O:p
Engineers used computer-aided analysis to determine exactly where strengthening ribs needed to be added to the casing to minimize radiated noise and vibration. CAE modeling also was used to add thickness to the case in appropriate areas for added strength. <O:p</O:p
In addition, the transaxle’s three simple planetary gear sets are designed for robustness and use low-pinion pitch line velocities to reduce noise. All gears are cut using high-precision CNC hobbing, grinding and honing machines. The transfer and final drive gears are hard-treated for strength, and subsequently ground and honed to provide a more precise fit, thus reducing gear whine. <O:p</O:p
The 6F also features the first use of an off-axis pump for Ford. This package-enabler takes up much less space in the transaxle. Package efficiency is further enabled by the pump’s chain drive. The pump porting also was optimized to improve NVH. <O:p</O:p
The 6F uses only plate clutches for each shift to deliver quiet, smooth shifts throughout the entire ratio span. In addition, the 6F uses a Ford proprietary control strategy that uses powerful adaptive algorithms. The 6F provides fast, responsive shifts throughout the operating range that are smooth yet crisp, which delivers an invigorating driving experience to the customer. <O:p</O:p
Factory Tested for Quality<O:p</O:p
To ensure the best possible shift quality, each 6F transaxle is bench tested at Ford’s Van Dyke (<st1:State><ST1:pMich.</ST1:p</st1:State>) Transaxle Plant. There, the transaxle build quality is verified, detecting even minute variations in the manufacturing process. <O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
Using a unique patent pending process, software programmed into the 6F’s electronic controller individually trims and characterizes all solenoids and clutches to eliminate the variances that would normally lead to changes in shift feel, producing smooth, precisely controlled shifts that improve durability and customer satisfaction.
link to page two:http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2051110.002<O:p</O:p
http://www.americancarfans.com/news/2051110.002/2051110.002.Mini2L.jpg
http://www.americancarfans.com/news/2051110.002/2051110.002.Mini3L.jpg
http://www.americancarfans.com/news/2051110.002/2051110.002.Mini4L.jpg
Innovation in Overdrive<O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">New 3.5-liter V-6 engine to power one in five Ford vehicles by the end of the decade – including the new Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator crossover utility vehicles next year <O:p</O:p<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">Ford leads the way with a new 6-speed automatic transaxle that saves fuel – up to 7 percent in highway driving and nearly two tanks of gas a year compared with typical 4-speed automatics <O:p</O:p<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; tab-stops: list .5in">Work begins on Ford’s third-generation hybrid technology for future I-4 and V-6 engines <O:p</O:p
Ford’s hybrid leadership continues with the debut of Escape Hybrid taxis in New York City</ST1:p<O:p</O:p</FONT>
<O:p</O:p
Building on its promise to make innovation the compass that sets the company’s future direction, Ford today unveiled a new engine, new 6-speed automatic transaxle and more hybrid plans that bring fuel economy and performance to the next generation of vehicles. <O:p</O:p
“As Bill Ford has promised, Ford plans to be first in delivering innovative products to our customers – products that are stylish in design, safer for families, first in technology with new fuels and better efficiency, and first in offering new services to consumers,” says Derrick Kuzak, Ford group vice president, Product Development. “That commitment includes innovation in the powertrain lineup that we’ll be offering beginning next year.” <O:p</O:p
New 3.5-Liter V-6<O:p</O:p
Ford next year will introduce two new breakthrough crossover utility vehicles (CUVs) – the Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator – equipped with an all-new 3.5-liter V-6 engine and new 6-speed transaxle. The new V-6 engine will be a powertrain cornerstone for Ford Motor Company, eventually powering one in every five Ford Motor Company vehicles on the road by the end of the decade. <O:p</O:p
The new 3.5-liter V-6 was designed to deliver the best combination of fuel economy, refinement and performance for the customer and be compact enough to fit into a variety of vehicles. The height and width of the engine is the same as the smaller displacement Duratec 30 V-6. <O:p</O:p
The engine produces 250 horsepower and 240 pound-feet of torque in its CUV applications. It uses a dual-overhead cam valvetrain for peak power capability and smooth operation at high RPM. It incorporates intake variable cam timing to optimize fuel economy by adjusting valve timing for a smooth idle, optimal part-load driving and an impressively broad torque curve with good power. <O:p</O:p
In anticipation of future needs, the new V-6 has been designed to accommodate advanced technologies, including gasoline direct injection and turbo charging. <O:p</O:p
<FONT size=2>The engine will be built in the fall of 2006 at Ford’s <?xml:namespace prefix = st1 ns = "urn:schemas-microsoft-com /><st1:City><ST1<IMG class=inlineimg title=<font face=" /><st1:City><ST1:p<FONT face=Arial>Lima</FONT></ST1:p</st1:City><FONT face=Arial> (</FONT><st1:State><ST1:p<FONT face=Arial>Ohio</FONT></ST1:p</st1:State><FONT face=Arial>) Engine Plant. <O:p</O:p</FONT></FONT>
6F 6-Speed Transaxle<O:p</O:p
Ford also underscored its leadership in fuel-saving transmissions with the reveal of a new 6-speed for the new Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator. Ford is an industry leader in 6-speed transmissions with 24 nameplates already offered with the highly efficient technology. <O:p</O:p
Six-speed automatic transaxles improve performance and fuel economy. It is estimated that, for every 500,000 6-speeds – rather than traditional 4-speeds – fitted to vehicles, 12 million gallons of fuel can be saved annually (based on 25 mpg combined fuel economy for 15,000 miles). <O:p</O:p
The enhanced performance and fuel economy of the new 6F comes from a wide span of 6.04 between the transaxle’s lowest and highest gear ratio. The high ratio span helps deliver improved fuel economy of up to 7 percent and improved sustained acceleration compared with a typical 4-speed automatic. <O:p</O:p
The new 6F will be fitted to the 3.5-liter V-6 in the Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator. The combination delivers optimal fuel economy and powerful performance combined with smooth, refined and quiet shifts. <O:p</O:p
The new Ford 6F will be built at Ford’s Van Dyke (<st1:State><ST1:pMich.</ST1:p</st1:State>) Transmission Plant. <O:p</O:p
More News on Hybrids<O:p</O:p
Ford also took another step toward delivering on its commitment of putting 250,000 hybrid vehicles a year on the road by 2010 with the announcement that engineering work already is under way on a third-generation hybrid transaxle – one developed using Ford’s in-house hybrid expertise. <O:p</O:p
Engineered in <st1:City><ST1:place>Dearborn</ST1:place></st1:City>, the new hybrid transaxle will be capable of handling both 4-cylinder and 6-cylinder engines for future vehicles. <O:p</O:p
In addition, Ford announced that the Ford Escape Hybrid would debut this week as the first hybrid taxi carrying passengers throughout the five boroughs of <st1:City><ST1:place>New York City</ST1:place></st1:City>. Ford, the New York City Taxi & Limousine Commission and the Coalition for Smart Transportation will mark the milestone on Thursday. <O:p</O:p
New fuel saving 6-speed transaxle to propel Ford Edge to head of crossover utility class <O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator to debut next year with new class-leading 6F 6-speed transaxle <O:p</O:p
<LI class=MsoNormal style="MARGIN: 0in 0in 0pt; mso-list: l1 level1 lfo2; tab-stops: list .5in">New 6-peed delivers up to 7 percent improvement in highway fuel economy – nearly two tanks of gas a year compared with typical 4-speed automatics <O:p</O:p
Ford Motor Company today is an industry leader in 6-speeds with 24 nameplates offered – and more are on the way
With consumers focused on gas prices, the market is demanding more fuel-efficient vehicle technologies. Ford Motor Company’s innovative new 6F 6-speed automatic transaxle delivers just that – with up to a 7 percent improvement in highway fuel economy and more refined performance at the same time. <O:p</O:p
Ford Motor Company today is an industry leader in 6-speed technology with 24 nameplates offered – and more coming next year, including two new crossover utility vehicles (CUVs). <O:p</O:p
“Ford Motor Company will pace the industry in advanced transaxles, which provide increased performance and increased fuel economy,” says Barb Samardzich, Ford vice president of Powertrain Operations. “With the introduction of the Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator crossovers next year, our 6-speed leadership continues, and we have more on the way.” The new 6F was developed to cover a wide range of vehicle applications. It initially will be teamed with the new 3.5-liter V-6 in the Ford Edge and Lincoln Aviator CUVs. The transaxle also is designed to handle up to 300 horsepower and 280 pound-feet of torque with shift speeds up to 7,000 rpm. <O:p</O:p
The enhanced performance and fuel economy of the 6F comes from a wide span of 6.04 between the transaxle’s lowest and highest gear ratio. The high ratio span helps deliver improved fuel economy and improved acceleration compared with a typical 4-speed automatic. <O:p</O:p
“Not only do the smaller ratio step sizes of a 6-speed transaxle allow for better powertrain efficiency, but they enable smoother shifts as well,” says Ram Krishnaswami, manager 6F Transaxle Systems, Automatic Transmission Engineering. <O:p</O:p
The new 6F front-drive 6-speed delivers on the two most important attributes that today’s consumers look for in a vehicle: fuel economy and maximum performance. <O:p></O:p>
These characteristics are delivered by a low 4.48 gear for satisfying acceleration at launch and a tall, 0.74 overdrive for exceptional fuel economy. Short steps between intermediate gears enhance performance and feel by finding the right gear for the most efficient operating conditions. The smooth shifts reduce harshness and reduce overall NVH. <O:p</O:p
Development of the new 6F transaxle is the result of a collaborative effort between Ford and General Motors. Co-development of the transaxle resulted in a common approach to design and manufacturing engineering. Despite using common suppliers for a majority of parts to leverage economies of scale, both companies are utilizing unique controls and calibrations to tailor the shift feel of the transaxle to fit their brand characteristics. <O:p</O:p
Improved NVH and Refinement<O:p</O:p
The elimination of noise, vibration and harshness (NVH) was a particular target for the development team. Extensive use of CAE modeling on the transaxle case built a solid housing for the transaxle components. <O:p</O:p
Engineers used computer-aided analysis to determine exactly where strengthening ribs needed to be added to the casing to minimize radiated noise and vibration. CAE modeling also was used to add thickness to the case in appropriate areas for added strength. <O:p</O:p
In addition, the transaxle’s three simple planetary gear sets are designed for robustness and use low-pinion pitch line velocities to reduce noise. All gears are cut using high-precision CNC hobbing, grinding and honing machines. The transfer and final drive gears are hard-treated for strength, and subsequently ground and honed to provide a more precise fit, thus reducing gear whine. <O:p</O:p
The 6F also features the first use of an off-axis pump for Ford. This package-enabler takes up much less space in the transaxle. Package efficiency is further enabled by the pump’s chain drive. The pump porting also was optimized to improve NVH. <O:p</O:p
The 6F uses only plate clutches for each shift to deliver quiet, smooth shifts throughout the entire ratio span. In addition, the 6F uses a Ford proprietary control strategy that uses powerful adaptive algorithms. The 6F provides fast, responsive shifts throughout the operating range that are smooth yet crisp, which delivers an invigorating driving experience to the customer. <O:p</O:p
Factory Tested for Quality<O:p</O:p
To ensure the best possible shift quality, each 6F transaxle is bench tested at Ford’s Van Dyke (<st1:State><ST1:pMich.</ST1:p</st1:State>) Transaxle Plant. There, the transaxle build quality is verified, detecting even minute variations in the manufacturing process. <O:p</O:p
<O:p</O:p
Using a unique patent pending process, software programmed into the 6F’s electronic controller individually trims and characterizes all solenoids and clutches to eliminate the variances that would normally lead to changes in shift feel, producing smooth, precisely controlled shifts that improve durability and customer satisfaction.
link to page two:http://www.worldcarfans.com/news.cfm/newsid/2051110.002<O:p</O:p