25 years in the making: 2012 Ford Focus 6-speed PowerShift automatic transmission

Ford Focus
Ford has put a lot of work into the 2012 Ford Focus. The Dearborn automaker has now released details about the 2012 Focus’ PowerShift dry-clutch 6-speed automatic transmission, which it says will offer “exceptional shift quality to drivers.”

The whole system is apparently part of an inventive Ford transmission technology that has been waiting nearly 25 years for computing power to catch up to make it a reality.

Click here for more news on the Ford Focus.

“Focus features the Ford PowerShift dry-clutch six-speed automatic transmission, one of the first transmissions to benefit from Torque Hole Filling (THF), a Ford-developed and patented concept and methodology conceived a quarter century ago,” Ford said in a statement. “THF uses a combination of mathematical algorithms, computer-aided engineering (CAE) tools and transmission control technologies to fill what is commonly known as the torque hole – the slight hesitation drivers may feel during an upshift when there is a momentary drop in transmission torque output followed by a rise in torque.”

The torque hole has been inherent to automatic transmissions since the 1940s, said Ford Research Technical Expert Chris Teslak. “Even though much work in controls and calibration has been done over the years, it has remained a major challenge,” he said.

Well, it’s finally here.

Refresher: The 2012 Ford Focus is powered by 2.0L DOHC inline 4-clyinder unit with twin independent variable camshaft timing (Ti-VCT), direct gasoline injection and E85 flex fuel capability. The engine produces 160-hp and 146 lb-ft of torque. The 2012 Focus is offered in S, SE, SEL and Titanium trim-levels with prices starting at $16,270.

2012 Ford Focus:

2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus 2012 Ford Focus

– By: Omar Rana