Set to be rolled out on selected models in 2009 onwards, Hyundai's new six-speed automatic transmission promises to boosts fuel economy by 12% and is 12kg (26.5 lbs) lighter and has 62 fewer parts than a 5-speed auto transaxle. With the introduction of the new transmission, Hyundai becomes only the third company in the world to develop its own six-speed automatic transaxle after Toyota and a GM/Ford joint venture.Designed for transverse engine applications in cars and SUVs, the new compact transaxle that went into production in December will be offered in a total of five variants to accommodate a wide range of petrol and diesel engines. Overall, 16 different Hyundai models will get this transmission.
"The strength of our design is its completely unique layout, which makes it smaller, more compact and lighter than any other six-speed on the market today," said Hong-Min Kim, the project manager of the transaxle at Hyundai R&D Centre.
The new tranny will make its debut in the new Hyundai Grandeur equipped with a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine. Hyundai said that in this application, the new gearbox delivers a 12.2 percent gain in fuel economy and is 2.5 percent quicker in zero to 62mph (100km/h) acceleration times (7.8sec versus 8.0 sec).It also delivers an 11 percent improvement in 60km/h to 100km/h overtaking performance (4.0 sec versus 4.5 sec).
