The PowerShift Transmission is a six-speed dual clutch semi-automatic transmission produced by the Ford Motor Company.The Ford Power Shift gearboxes are built by Get rag Ford Transmissions, a joint-venture with Get rag. Power Shift improves fuel efficiency by as much as 10 percent when compared to a conventional automatic transmission.
The operation of a dual clutch transmission is analogous to two traditional manual transmissions, each with its own clutch, operating in parallel and alternating shifts. The Ford unit is a six-speed with one clutch acting on first, third and fifth gear, and the other used for second, fourth and sixth gear. As first gear is engaged, the 2-4-6 clutch is disengaged and the second gear cogs are engaged. At the appropriate time, the 1-3-5 clutch is disengaged and the 2-4-6 clutch is engaged. While in second gear, the other side shifts from first to third. The process is repeated with none of the efficiency loss normally associated with torque converters and, in theory, quick smooth shifts.
The Power Shift gearbox is a joint development between Ford, Getrag and Luk and was first introduced in Europe. Both Volvo and Ford use wet clutches and hydraulic actuation.However, the new PowerShift gearbox used in the Ford Fiesta and Ford Focus uses dry clutches and electric motor/solenoid actuation. Some have criticized the PowerShift Transmission rough starts and lack of smooth shifting, but Ford has continually released (but not publicized) upgrades, also known as under the table fixes, to transmission software and firmware designed to address these failures.These improvements have not resulted in a lasting or permanent remedy for the ongoing, widespread problems associated with the transmission.
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