You might think 6-speed automatic transmissions are a dime-a-dozen these days. And, well, you would be right. But that doesn't mean Hyundai's new 6-speed tranny is any less important, at least as far as Hyundai is concerned.
The Korean automaker correctly points out that only Toyota and a joint venture between Ford and GM have produced proprietary 6-speed transmissions, while the rest of the world bought theirs off of perfectly good suppliers. The existence of 7- and 8-speed automatics was not addressed.
Buried within the long-winded release are a few interesting tid bits of info however. For instance, there is no dipstick. The transmission is filled with fluid that's designed to last the life of the car. The head of the Skinny Funnel Manufacturers Association had no comment on the development.
Also worthy of note: the applications of the new transmission. The first will be the Azera with the 3.3-liter V6 in early 2009. Hyundai says to expect a 12% improvement in mileage and two-tenths off the 0-to-60mph time. Later on in the 2009, the new transmission will find its way into a fully redesigned Santa Fe. A total of sixteen different models will eventually use the transmission.
sandcountry360 says:
07:49 PM, 12/22/08
"The transmission is filled with fluid that's designed to last the life of the car."
Where have I heard that before? It didn't work for Mercedes, and I'm guessing it isn't going to work for Hyundai. Of course, I guess they could be playing off of the fact that no one really expects a Hyundai to last past 100k, but that doesn't seem like smart marketing to me.
cwc1 says:
07:55 PM, 12/22/08
Sounds like we've heard this before - lifetime fluid? Whose lifetime - the warranty's, the car's, or just the transmission? So, of the transmission fails in four years, well hey, that's its lifetime. "Oh, you thought we meant the lifetime of the car? Not sure why you'd think that..."
Like it's a disposable transmission, except it'll cost thousands for a replacement.
redliner says:
07:59 PM, 12/22/08
Thats why it failed, because MB did it. I bet this Hyundai transmission will be very reliable.
cwc1 says:
08:07 PM, 12/22/08
Wow, you beat me to it, sandcountry, before I saw your post. Oh well - could we *be* more cynical? :)
cx7lover says:
11:01 PM, 12/22/08
Ughhhhhhhhhhhh I hate lifetime fills, they're usually not lifetime, I KNOW they have a way of getting it out though, so it's not reallly that big of an issue, you just won't be able to check up in it. I change mine every 30K or so regardless of fluid color.
firstwagon says:
01:48 PM, 12/23/08
What if it starts leaking?
How will you know how much to add? How do you add it?
stovt001 says:
03:05 PM, 12/23/08
My Cobalt has "lifetime" ATF and no dipstick. Drives me nuts. The manual says it only needs servicing if there is a leak. Well except for seeing a puddle on the ground, how are you to determine a leak if not for checking the level on the dipstick? Stupid Stupid Stupid. I'll be changing out my "lifetime" fluid soon. Stupid.
chief01 says:
09:45 AM, 01/15/09
Hyundai is really rocking always as they are introducing new auto parts for the cars and vehicles for th performance. This is incredible and this new update is going to be one of the important thing in their concern. That too they are building it for own.
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