Ford may adapt CVT for next-gen Focus

I know a lot of people here hate CVT's but I'm open to them, especially in vehicle such as this.

I've only drove two new Focus' as rentals, they probably were abused but not excessive in the miles or age category, and they shifted awful.

I recall getting a Compass with a CVT once for a rental, in manual mode it was a blast.

:drive:

Ed753 said:

I've only drove two new Focus' as rentals, they probably were abused but not excessive in the miles or age category, and they shifted awful.

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Your experience is shared by many. The Getrag-Ford dual clutch AMT ("PowerShift") used in North American Focus and Fiesta is known for poorly designed shift programming (it still sucks even after several software updates) and a multitude of reliability issues.

The CVT can't be worse than what the Focus and Fiesta now have and should offer much better fuel economy, based upon what the Sentra, Corolla, and Civic get.

Noooooooooo! Bring a new DCT, a conventional auto, bring a hamster that shift the gears if you want! Please no CVT!

roy219 said:

Your experience is shared by many. The Getrag-Ford dual clutch AMT ("PowerShift") used in North American Focus and Fiesta is known for poorly designed shift programming (it still sucks even after several software updates) and a multitude of reliability issues.

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Powershift is also used on European Fords - with similar criticism of it's shift change - and avoided for towing duty.

I've never been a fan of CVTs but when I test-drove the Subaru Outback diesel CVT I couldn't fault it - they use electronically fixed ratios to give the same feel as a conventional automatic planetary gear transmission.

CVT's are going to be used by everyone that builds vehicles for their efficiencies. I've said this for years, we see more and more in my shop. Quality of the unit is improving and will keep improving with companies like Subaru in the game. Shift programming has been something new that not many people like, in the beginning they never had the shift feel added and created a hate for the transmission that no one liked. They will be perfected and used by GM again guaranteed and their next attempt will be better than the VT20/25E that was a total embarrassment to the Hydra-matic division.

It's a global race between CVT and DSG, just like the VHS-Betamax video race - the best solution may not win!

JBsZ06 said:

The dry DCT is so bad in fords products it makes me laugh they are going to cvt s..

I remember driving the early fiesta and when I reviewed the drivability of the DCT in the fiesta I was flamed really bad by the ford faithful.

Dodges dry DCT in the dart is also crap...

Key word....DRY DCT...

Dry DCT s are LOSERS..

Wet DCT s are cool.

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I wouldn't touch a wet DCT either!

All DCTs tend to have quality problems, but people like them for they feel like manuals and they do get better fuel economy.

However, I do not want any CVTs! They suck! Stick with the DCT!

ausrutherford said:

However, I do not want any CVTs! They suck! Stick with the DCT!

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I'm the exact opposite - at least a CVT has a torque converter - can anyone actually tell the difference between a good CVT in "tiptronic" mode and a good DCT in manual mode ?

Torque convertor technology has come along so far I'd recommend the simple solution.
Cvt s are inexpensive solutions for good fuel economy.

Journalists don't seem to like the feel of cvt s.

I'd pass on owning a vehicle with cvt s unless it was a subsidized lease etc.

Ugh, the DCT currently in use is no peach but I absolutely hate CVT transmissions. How about doing something completely revolutionary and just moving to a world class 8-speed automatic and calling it a day?

syr74 said:

How about doing something completely revolutionary and just moving to a world class 8-speed automatic and calling it a day?

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Honda's 8-speed DCT with torque converter in the 2015 Acura TLX and 2016 ILX may be a good example to follow. Reviews indicate it exhibits none of the flawed shifting characteristics of the Getrag-Ford 6-speed PowerShift or the Fiat 6-speed DDCT.

roy219 said:

Honda's 8-speed DCT with torque converter in the 2015 Acura TLX and 2016 ILX may be a good example to follow. Reviews indicate it exhibits none of the flawed shifting characteristics of the Getrag-Ford 6-speed PowerShift or the Fiat 6-speed DDCT.

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Adding the torque converter was an interesting move, seemed to work out well too.

I have driven Both CVT and DCT and even Toyota single clutch AMT trannies
FIRST I will say I HATE the "sloppiness"/slowness of a conventional tranny and find CVT's also have it but am NOT bothered by the LACK of gear ranges / snow mobile effect but on driving FEEL I would go for a GOOD DCT any day
the single clutch Toyota / Smart trannies SUCK as they are WAY to slow at shifting