...when are they gonna simply drop "mechanical" gearing and switch to ferro-electric "fluid" clutch gearing...ie: magnetic coupled clutching?

...same idea as currently used in "dynamic" adjustable-rate shocks

 

If this was a good idea someone would be doing it by now. Ferro fluid still has a significant viscosity even in its "low" viscosity state, so relying on a FF clutch system to be in a permanent state of "slip" would be wasting significant amounts of energy.

 

Wonder if it will shift better than the 6-speed?

 

While I was reading the article, all I could think of is "I wonder when someone will say something about the shifting on our 6-Speeds"

 

...does the bear deficate in the woods?

...of course he does--that's *why* the woods are all green & over grown with weeds!

...bare bear stuff.

 

This Cruze 7 speed transmission should be interesting. The article says it can top 40 MPG's, but I wonder what the exact MPG number might be. If it's 50-60 MPG, that will do wonders for Chevy Cruze sales. Now to wait for a Cruze 7 speed review.

 

This tranny cannot take a car from 36 mpg to 50 mpg.

 

Given how much i really dont care for the drive quality (or lack thereof) of CVT transmissions its nice to see GM putting work into a proper gearbox.

Well a PROPER gearbox is the 6MT in my eco

 

...when energized (electromagnetic coupling) there is no slippage...sorta like the electronic clutches used on GM a/c compressors awhile ago.

P.S.--I worked with GMHE on this product and it does work. I was just wondering "when" it might eventually see the light of day?

 

You wonder why GM did not provide a dual clutch trans for the Cruze, given that:
This technology has been around for many years
Its neither complicated nor cost prohibitive
Arch-rival Ford includes for the new Focus (rated at 33 comb. mpg)
Up and coming Hyundai has it for the forth-coming Veloster this summer
The German companies have used this extensively in a long test record

So, as reported on Wikepedia, the 2012 GMC Granite will debut this tech with a reported 10% gain in mpg. I hope GM didn't purposely delay this needed innovation so as to provide fire-power for future model introductions. The competition is fierce, the economy is hurting, and the price of oil could very well go way up this year. Given what the company has gone through in the past 2 years (not to mention several decades), how can they afford to wait ?

 

I hope GM didn't purposely delay this needed innovation so as to provide fire-power for future model introductions. The competition is fierce, the economy is hurting, and the price of oil could very well go way up this year.

How about GM planned the current Cruze tranny 3 or more years ago and felt they need to roll out new technology carefully?

Paranoia is not flattering.

 

the next step for cruze should be direct injection, variable time and lift camshafts and variable vain angle turbo... Just my opinion

 

just buy the manual and get 40 plus now!!! hehehe

 

a regular manual is more fun to drive daily and it is alot cheaper to repair if it ever breaks

 

The next thing they should do for a Cruze Eco would be the "E-Assist" option. Which is what is on the LaCrosse I believe, and will be available on the new Malibu.

The Cruze Eco rolls so well, scrubbing off speed sending it to a battery to power an accessory, or give the car some electric motor boost to 15 or so MPH would be very welcome, at a cost of about $1000 to put in a vehicle it's quite a nice option outside of a full on hybrid.

A 7 speed dual clutch will not be more efficient than a stick shift, however it could be as efficient, so for those that enjoy the comfort of an automatic can have Manual like economy and drivetrain loss for a price premium.

However, this is why I bought the cruze with the stick

GM has other interesting techs in the works including some entropy conversion that could take exhaust manifold heat and develop a DC current from it, this would be helpful in a mild hybrid especially when the engine runs often.

There is still a lot of room to grow in that area seeing how an ICE wastes over 65% of it's energy to heat. Part of the reason why I like a turbocharger, it not only uses the piston to force energy to drive the turbine but the physical expansion of a compressed gas converts heat energy into kinetic energy, and thus heat is lost, and turbine speed is gained.