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Ford accelerates shift to fuel-efficient 6-speed transmissions
The Brampton Guardian
Friday May 16 2008
Ford’s new 6F35 front-wheel-drive transmission is manufactured with the help of Doug Dolney at the Van Dyke Transmission Plant in Sterling Heights, Michigan and will debut in the 2009 Ford Escape. Ford will more than double the number of North American vehicles equipped with fuel-efficient 6-speed automatic transmissions by the end of next year.
 
BRAMPTON - The big shift is on at Ford as the automaker plans to more than double the number, to 1.4 million, of fuel-efficient, six-speed automatic transmissions in its North American cars and trucks by the end of 2009.
The advanced transmissions provide customers four to six per cent improved fuel economy compared with typical four- and five-speed gearboxes, as well as better acceleration and a quieter and more refined driving experience.
By the end of 2012, 98 per cent of Ford’s North American automatic transmissions will be advanced six-speed gearboxes, maintaining the automaker’s position as a leader of high-performance, fuel-efficient powertrains.
Ford’s newest six-speed is the 6F35, which debuts in the 2009 Ford Escape and Mercury Mariner sport-utility crossover vehicles and replaces the current four-speed. It also will be used in the 2009 Mazda Tribute, as well as two other vehicles early next year.
For 2009, the Escape and Mariner receive more powerful engines, but even with that improved power, they also increase their fuel economy by one mpg thanks to the new 6F35.
Key to the new six-speed transmissions is increased gear span compared with four- and five-speeds. This allows vehicle powertrains to operate at a more optimum level, depending on the particular driving situation.
At 84.5 per cent customer satisfaction, the 6F50 is three points above the industry average for all transmissions, according to the first quarter 2008 U.S. Global Quality Research System study conducted for Ford by RDA Group of Bloomfield Hills, Mich.
This year, 6F50 application expands to the all-new 2009 Ford Flex and Lincoln MKS. Available with SelectShift in the Lincoln MKS, the automatic transmission also allows manual gear selection for an engaging and sporty driving experience.