Friday, 10 April 2015

Ford Patents 11-Speed Automatic Transmission

Ford Patents 11-Speed Automatic Transmission

Ford Patents 11-Speed Automatic Transmission

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A new patent document published on April 9 by the U.S. Patent and Trademark Office suggests that Ford is eyeing an 11-speed automatic transmission.

The document includes details for three different embodiments of the transmission using different combinations of clutches, brakes and gears. Currently the company has only announced plans for a 10-speed automatic transmission that will arrive in the 2017 F-150 Raptor pickup truck. Ford powertrain spokesman Paul Seredynski wouldn't confirm that Ford is developing an 11-speed automatic transmission.

"As a technology leader, we submit patents on innovative ideas as a normal course of business. Patent submissions help protect our new ideas but do not necessarily indicate future business or product plans," he said in an official statement.

Ford is already able to claim an average 20 MPG, which is a two-MPG improvement for the 3.5-liter EcoBoost 2015 F-150 in two-wheel drive form compared to the previous generation equipped with the same engine by shaving up to 700 lbs from the curb weight of the old truck courtesy of an aluminum body.

Ford filed the patent on October 4, 2013.

Discuss this story on our Ford forum

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Scion’s Next Model Will be a Toyota, Won’t be a Crossover

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With two out of a planned three new Scion models revealed at the New York Auto Show, we sat down with brand boss Doug Murtha to discuss what's coming next for Toyota's youth-focused brand.

The latest rejuvenation for Scion, the current plan doesn't stray from the brand's origins.

Murtha, Scion group vice president, explains how partnerships with other automakers, as well as sharing within the larger Toyota lineup has long been a part of the product strategy. "It's pretty much been the case since Scion's launch," he said, pointing to the xA, xB and even the recently axed iQ.

SEE ALSO: Scion iM First Look

He wouldn't clarify just what's coming next but did drop a significant hint, stating that the new model, "falls more into the iM model," and, "is a product that will be sold in other markets that will be sold in the US as a Scion, as opposed to bringing it as a Toyota."

Based on Toyota's current global product list, the options aren't plentiful with cars like the Etios, Aygo and Verso as possible candidates.

With the removal of the iQ from Scion's lineup, the Aygo could replace it as a new city car option. In Europe it's available with either a 1.3-liter or a 1.0-liter 3-cylinder engine making 68 hp. It also costs just 6,800 British Pounds (roughly $12,800).

"That has always been our sourcing model to look for products in other global markets that we might not bring in as a Toyota but that we might bring in under the Scion brand," said Murtha, commenting that there's more to Scion than just brand-engineered models. "We don't want to become Geo, where were basically selling cars that are either wholly built by someone else or only through partnerships," he said. "As long as they meet the basic requirements we have as a brand we're fine with that as a source for new product."

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"I'm open to any and all body type categories," said Murtha, "as long as it meets the basic requirements and interests of our target customer." Right now, that doesn't include small SUVs.

"I'm open to a crossover, but as I look at crossovers in the market there's a lot I wouldn't want because I think they'd they'd work better with a Toyota badge on their hood than a Scion badge. Like it or not, SUVs still come with a little bit of that family-esque stigma … and I don't think that's what the majority of our customers are looking to project about themselves."

SEE ALSO: Subaru BRZ STI Concept Revealed

Murtha also indicated that it won't be a hybrid. While a car like the Prius c would seem to fit the bill, he says the data so far has shown buyers of the ultra-efficient city car actually tend to be older than those of the conventional Prius liftback, despite the lower price.

As for the rest of the Scion lineup, Murtha confirmed that the xB and tC will live on for a while longer with, "No immediate plans for their sunsetting or replacement." As for the FR-S, Toyota is currently in talks with Subaru on a second-generation model with a refreshed version due out soon.

Discuss this story at our Scion iM forum

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MINI Augmented Vision Concept Gives you X-Ray Vision

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MINI is exploring the future of automobiles with its latest concept idea. 

The new augmented vision concept is a set of eyeglasses that project relevant information, like navigation directions and speed, into the driver's field of vision. MINI says that the info will be displayed without concealing other road users.

"MINI Augmented Vision gives an insight into how intelligent connectivity between a MINI car and eyewear into which relevant content is projected might work in the future,"  said Dr. Jörg Preißinger, project-manager MINI Augmented Vision.

SEE ALSO: 2015 MINI Cooper S Hardtop 4-Door Review

These new glasses will allow the driver to select destination points while outside the vehicle and then transfer them to the car's navigation, where the head up display will show navigation arrows on the road in front of you. The navigation will stay on once you leave your car, directing you right to your destination.

Outside of navigation, the glasses also provide an X-ray view of your car, allowing you to see through certain car parts like the A-pillars and doors. Parking is made easy by external cameras that allow you see all the way around you vehicle, while a small icon will alert you when messages are received on a smart phone.

The augmented reality glasses were developed in collaboration with several Qualcomm companies.

"MINI Augmented Vision offers a compelling example of what's possible today, and what we can expect in the future," said Jay Wright, Vice President, Qualcomm Connected Experiences, Inc.

Discuss this story at our MINI Forum

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Self-Driving Cars Might Make Motion Sickness More Common

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Self-driving cars will make our roads safer, but they will also bring an unforeseen consequence. 

A new study, released by the University of Michigan Transportation Research Institute (UMTRI), claims that six to 12 percent of American adults are expected to be moderately to severely motion sick at some time while riding in a self-driving car.

"Motion sickness is expected to be more of an issue in self-driving vehicles than in conventional vehicles," said UMTRI researchers Michael Sivak and Brandon Schoettle. "By switching from driver to passenger, by definition, one gives up control over the direction of motion, and there are no remedies for this."

The reduced ability to anticipate the direction of movement is pegged as the main factor that will make riders sick. Based on responses to a survey, 37 percent of U.S. adults would regularly engage in activities, like reading or watching videos, that increase the likelihood of car sickness while in a self-driving car.

The report recommends sleeping or closing one's eyes to help avoid being car sick, while it also says that self-driving car may be programmed to deliver a smoother ride than conventional vehicles, a factor that may reduce car sickness.

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2016 Honda Pilot gets More Power, More Gears

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The Honda Pilot is getting a power boost, new transmissions and a new luxury trim level for the 2016 model year. 

Honda's seven-person people hauler still uses a 3.5-liter V6 for motivation, but it now puts out 380 hp and 262 lb-ft of torque, a boost of 30 hp and 7 lb-ft compared to the previous model. A new six-speed automatic transmission replaces the old five speed on LX, EX and EX-L trim Pilots while a new nine-speed automatic is available on the top-trim Touring and newly added Elite models.

Front-wheel drive comes standard on the Pilot while an upgraded torque vectoring all-wheel drive setup is available.

Joining the Pilot ranks is the new top-of-the-line Elite trim, which comes with a panoramic sunroof, heated rear captain's seats, a trailer harness, blind spot monitoring, auto LED headlights, heated and ventilated front seats, a leather-wrapped heated steering wheels and rain sensing wipers.

Fuel economy and pricing will be announced closer to the Pilot's launch this summer.

Discuss this story at our Honda Pilot Forum

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Refreshed Lexus ES to Debut on April 20

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Lexus is going to reveal an updated version of the ES sedan in China late this month.

A teaser image released through the company's website today shows the updated headlight design that is also in place on the 2016 RX crossover that Lexus revealed in New York last week. Lexus is expected to release more details about the sedan leading up to its April 20 debut during the Shanghai Auto Show.

Toyota conceived its Lexus brand with the U.S. market in mind, but is currently trying to increase its footprint on a global scale by bolstering its presence in Europe and especially China where it is being outpaced by German luxury brands.

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