Ford to double the use of fuel-efficient 6-speed automatics

FoMoCo says it plans to double the use of more fuel-efficient 6-speed automatic transmissions by the end of next year, The company is looking to get the transmission in 98 percent of North American vehicles by 2012. Ford’s Sterling Heights transmission plant will produce 1.3 million 6F35 transmissions a year.

According to Ford, the 6-speed automatic transmission return 4 to 6 percent better fuel economy than the 4 or 5-speed automatics. In 2009 Ford plans on fitting its 6F35 six-speed transmission in the 2009 model year of the Ford Escape, Mercury Mariner and the 2009 Mazda Tribute. Currently, all are offered with a four-speed automatic.

The 6F35 will be mated to a new 2.5 liter 4-cylinder engine and the 3.0 liter V6 in the 2009 Escape and Mariner. The engine offers an outpute increases of...
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mercuryguy - 5/8/2008 2:56:05 AM

+1 Boost

Mate this 6-speed to that New Ford 4.4L baby Diesel, and then you will have real winner!

Ford should have done this years ago instead of hanging on to the 4-speed. They held on mainly because the 4-speed was strong and extremely reliable, but not the most efficient.

EnnNorak - 5/8/2008 9:49:10 PM

+1 Boost

Kudos for Ford -- I hope this puts another nail into the coffin of the CVT.

mercuryguy - 5/8/2008 6:03:48 PM

+1 Boost

Ford transmissions were always the best. Even back in the 70s, people would stack giant logs into F-150s until the tires rubbed the fenders, and drive hundreds of miles through hills. The Ford Transmissions were just rock-solid.

mercuryguy - 5/8/2008 6:05:14 PM

+1 Boost

My neighbor tells me his gearbox on his Honda lawnmower broke, and he just bought the thing.