Filed under: Hyundai
Hyundai details new, in-house developed six-speed automatic
After four years of development, Hyundai has joined the ranks of GM and Ford as the only automaker to develop its own six-speed automatic transmission in-house. The new 'box sheds over 26 pounds and 62 parts from Hyundai's five-speed unit, while increasing fuel economy by 12% and decreasing shift times. Five different variants of the six-speed will be produced, with the 2009 Hyundai Azera equipped with the 3.3-liter Lambda V6 being the first recipient, followed by 16 other models, including the redesigned Santa Fe, due to hit dealers in late 2009 or early 2010. Hyundai claims that the new gearbox is "maintenance free," and lacks a dipstick since the fluid is good for the life of the vehicle (we'll see). Hyundai is also continuing development of its eight-speed automatic which is expected to make it to market sometime next year in the Genesis sedan. Press release below the fold.
PRESS RELEASE
HYUNDAI REVEALS NEW FUEL-EFFICIENT SIX-SPEED AUTO
Designed for transverse engine applications in passenger cars and SUVs, the new compact transaxle puts Hyundai into an elite class of auto manufacturers who have designed their own six-speed automatic (after Toyota and a GM/Ford joint venture), demonstrating Hyundai's advanced powertrain engineering capabilities.
"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. In fact, the design is so unique and so advanced, Hyundai has applied for nearly 300 patents related to the technology.
The transaxle will first arrive in the new Hyundai Grandeur equipped with a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine. In this application, it 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).
The unit is also maintenance-free: the gearbox is 'filled for life' with automatic transmission fluid and needs no topping up, reducing servicing costs.
Developed over a four-year period, this new six-speed automatic gearbox offers numerous technical merits. Despite the extra gear, it is 12kg lighter than the five-speed it replaces. It is also 41mm shorter and considerably simpler having 62 fewer parts, which is a key to increased durability and lower cost.
When it comes to gearsets, more is definitely better. The addition of a sixth gear enables closer spacing between ratios providing a better balance of performance and fuel economy, while the wide overall gear ratio helps deliver strong acceleration.
The gearbox has three planetary gearsets whose hallmark is simplicity of design and a unique flat torque converter, which shortens the unit's overall length by 12mm. Four pinion differentials improve durability and further minimise size.
Another example of engineering ingenuity is to be found in the design of the hydraulic pressure control unit. There are always slight manufacturing deviations from one solenoid valve to the next, which cause fluctuation in the hydraulic pressure and affect shift precision and quality. To rectify this, the transaxle features cleverly integrated adjustment screws in the valves which enable each of the eight valves to be calibrated at the factory.
This novel feature ensures stable hydraulic pressure at any shift point, which facilitates a high degree of precision and control needed to deliver ultra-fast, smooth and precise shifts throughout the engine speed range.
The new six-speed went into production this month (December). A total of five variants of the transaxle will be produced to accommodate a wide range of petrol and diesel engines. A total of 16 different Hyundai models will get this transmission including a redesigned Santa Fe, which is due to arrive in late 2009 and early 2010 in some markets.
PRESS RELEASE
HYUNDAI REVEALS NEW FUEL-EFFICIENT SIX-SPEED AUTO
- Hyundai becomes only the third company in the world to develop its own six-speed automatic transaxle
- Boosts fuel economy by 12%, is 12kg lighter and has 62 fewer parts than a 5-speed
- Set to be rolled out on selected models in 2009 onwards
Designed for transverse engine applications in passenger cars and SUVs, the new compact transaxle puts Hyundai into an elite class of auto manufacturers who have designed their own six-speed automatic (after Toyota and a GM/Ford joint venture), demonstrating Hyundai's advanced powertrain engineering capabilities.
"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. In fact, the design is so unique and so advanced, Hyundai has applied for nearly 300 patents related to the technology.
The transaxle will first arrive in the new Hyundai Grandeur equipped with a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine. In this application, it 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).
The unit is also maintenance-free: the gearbox is 'filled for life' with automatic transmission fluid and needs no topping up, reducing servicing costs.
Developed over a four-year period, this new six-speed automatic gearbox offers numerous technical merits. Despite the extra gear, it is 12kg lighter than the five-speed it replaces. It is also 41mm shorter and considerably simpler having 62 fewer parts, which is a key to increased durability and lower cost.
When it comes to gearsets, more is definitely better. The addition of a sixth gear enables closer spacing between ratios providing a better balance of performance and fuel economy, while the wide overall gear ratio helps deliver strong acceleration.
The gearbox has three planetary gearsets whose hallmark is simplicity of design and a unique flat torque converter, which shortens the unit's overall length by 12mm. Four pinion differentials improve durability and further minimise size.
Another example of engineering ingenuity is to be found in the design of the hydraulic pressure control unit. There are always slight manufacturing deviations from one solenoid valve to the next, which cause fluctuation in the hydraulic pressure and affect shift precision and quality. To rectify this, the transaxle features cleverly integrated adjustment screws in the valves which enable each of the eight valves to be calibrated at the factory.
This novel feature ensures stable hydraulic pressure at any shift point, which facilitates a high degree of precision and control needed to deliver ultra-fast, smooth and precise shifts throughout the engine speed range.
The new six-speed went into production this month (December). A total of five variants of the transaxle will be produced to accommodate a wide range of petrol and diesel engines. A total of 16 different Hyundai models will get this transmission including a redesigned Santa Fe, which is due to arrive in late 2009 and early 2010 in some markets.
Reader Comments (Page 1 of 2)
ken_aisin 2:11PM (12/23/2008)
Hope Hyundai won't abandon it due to the economic slow down.
Reply
Ken 2:14PM (12/23/2008)
They cannot afford to. Between the need for better EPA (and worldwide equivalent) numbers, customer demand, etc. - this is just something that has to be done.
Jimbo 5:28PM (12/23/2008)
It can be further argued that Hyundai is the only one to design their own 6-speed auto in-house. GM and Ford collaborated with each other for their 6-speeds.
Raffi 2:14PM (12/23/2008)
Doesn't Nissan have already have a 7-speed automatic, and Toyota an 8-speed? What's so great about 6?
Reply
Ken 2:17PM (12/23/2008)
1.) Developed in-house
2.) On much cheaper cars than normal
Jacob 2:23PM (12/23/2008)
You should ask what's so great about 7 or 8 speed transmissions. The added gears are useless. The new lexus shifts a gear every second and hunts for gears all the time. Six speed is perfect for most if not all applications. Any more gears is superflous.
Frylock350 2:32PM (12/23/2008)
Those slushies aren't available on non-luxury vehicles. That's the difference.
ItGuy 2:44PM (12/23/2008)
Guess Ford's 6 speed in just about everything doesn't count?
Or GM's 6 speed?
Temple 2:50PM (12/23/2008)
Except 6-speed autos have been available for been on economy cars forever (GM, Toyota, Ford, Nissan, Honda, etc etc etc)
Crackberry Addict 3:14PM (12/23/2008)
@ Temple, lmfao.
Name ONE Honda with a SIX speed Auto?
MikeW 6:22PM (12/23/2008)
Edmunds mention the fact that the 1-2 upshift is pretty big in the ZF 6 speed automatic. 4.171-2.34 56%
http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/Drives/FullTests/articleId=137086
So if Ford adopted the ZF 8 speed auto ASAP, and programmed it to operate 1-7 in tow/haul 2-8 otherwise, the 2-3 upshift is much smaller 67%
The Dodge Sprinter REALLY could use the MB 7g-tronic in the same fashion. There is room to shorten the axle ratio up to 14% (forfeiting all mileage gains, so split the difference-7%)
agreed 2:33PM (12/23/2008)
I am really impressed with the leaps and bounds that Hyundai has grown in the past few years.
Reply
hyundaifans.com 4:59PM (12/23/2008)
Same here! That's why i put up a site.
ronnie schreiber 2:33PM (12/23/2008)
"joined the ranks of GM and Ford as the only automaker to develop its own six-speed automatic transmission in-house."
That's not possible. I thought the Detroit automakers were dinosaurs, incapable of being technology leaders.
Reply
shethj 2:39PM (12/23/2008)
you are correct. I'm sure GM and Ford buy their 6 speeds from Honda. Hopefully they are assembled in Alabama courtesy of tax breaks organized by Sen. Shelby and his buddies. There is NO way GM/Ford could have engineered something before their foreign counterparts. If you dont believe me ask Tom Friedman or George Will.
Raffi 2:42PM (12/23/2008)
It says in the actual press release that Toyota and a joint GM/Ford venture were first to develop the 6-speed automatic. It required the resources of both GM and Ford working together to do what Hyundai and Toyota did alone.
ronnie schreiber 4:40AM (12/24/2008)
shethj,
Looks like Raffi just proved our point. To some, Detroit can do no right and Toyota can do no wrong.
shethj 2:33PM (12/23/2008)
I think this is impressive since Honda hasnt debuted a 6 speed yet. Also the Europeans (at least BMW, Jag and Audi) use trannies developed by third parties. I am not clear on who developed the 7 speed used in Infiniti products but I would be surprised if its an in house design.
Reply
jg 3:23PM (12/23/2008)
BMW used trannies built by GM.
spencer 2:42PM (12/23/2008)
I bet a dipstick will arrive after dealerships complain about not being able to charge for fluid changes/top offs anymore.
Reply