The Ford F-150's New 10-Speed Transmission is Impressive
One of the hottest topics in the automotive industry is the new Ford F-150 10-speed transmission. Here's everything you need to know about the new technology.
1. Ford and GM Collaboration
After years of rivalry, Ford and GM collaborated together in building the new 10-speed transmission. Ford invested $1.4 billion in upgrading their transmission plant in Michigan, and GM invested $343 million in advancing their technology as well, all focused on the new 10-speed transmission. The two rivalries figured that the profit will be mutually split once they combine their engineers' efforts and build this new transmission.
2. Vehicle Applications
The new transmission debuted in the Ford F-150, as well as the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Ford and GM also designed a 9-speed transmission for the front-wheel drive vehicles, which debuted in the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu and Cruze, and it will also be featured in various Ford models, and over eight GM vehicles in 2018, including Cadillac and GMC. General Motors promised to offer the 10-speed transmission in the 2018 Chevrolet Silverado, and we should expect to see it in various other vehicles.
3. 10-Speed Transmission Goal
The goal behind designing this 10-speed transmission comes down to efficiency. The wide gear span (7.4) offers more flexibility, allowing the transmission to choose the right gear for the speed. The various gear options allow the engine to revolve at fewer revolutions per minute, thus working less and burning less fuel. In addition to saving fuel, the 10-speed transmission offers a smoother ride, as the engine works at a lower RPM, providing a quiet, less-aggressive ride.
4. Performance
The 10-speed transmission raised some concerns regarding the performance, but the final results will surprise you. This transmission adds 10-horsepower and 50 pound-feet of torque to the 2017 Ford F-150, thanks to the short gears that allow the engine to stay close to peak performance. With just the right step on the gas pedal, the transmission can downshift and upshift for numerous gears at a time. In other words, the transmission will choose the right gear for the right task, and always at the right time, thanks to double the coding in Ford's brand-new computer controller, with more than one million codes.
5. Numbers
It always comes down to numbers, and this 10-speed transmission doesn't disappoint. The 10-speed transmission does not use any cast-iron material, which allows it to be almost the same weight as the old one; and it occupies the same space, thanks to the use of the six clutches and four planetary gears. The 2017 Ford F-150 V6 3.5-liter EcoBoost engine comes standard with the 10-speed transmission, which adds one MPG when compared to the previous year with the six-speed gearbox, making it a total of 18 mpg in the city, and 25 mpg on the highway, all while maintaining the 12,200 pounds towing capacity.
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