Topic: Honda readies 10-speed automatic transmission

[Blueprint]

Source: Automotive News Europe,
October 27th 2015
http://europe.autonews.com/article/20151026/COPY/310269900/honda-readies-volley-of-new-drivetrain-tech?cciid=email-ane-daily

(...) Also on tap: a new 10-speed planetary automatic transmission for front-wheel-drive vehicles, a gearbox Honda calls a world’s first. That transmission will be introduced in the “near future,” Ohtsu said. He declined to give a specific timeline.

It is expected to be used in large vehicles such as the Acura RLX and Honda Odyssey, but plans have not been finalized.

Honda will build the 10-speed in-house, and it will replace Honda’s six-speed automatic for 3.5-liter, V-6 engines.

The 10-speed is as compact as the six-speed, making it easily deployable across a wide range of vehicles, Ohtsu added.

It will boost fuel economy by at least 6 percent over the six-speed and deliver a 14 percent improvement in acceleration, Honda said. Shifting will be 30 percent faster.

[Great_Big_Abyss]

Oh Gosh, WHY?

Couldn't they just build a more robust CVT for use in heavier duty applications?  I think it's been shown that CVT's perform better than high-multi gear transmissions.

[EV Dan]

Oh Gosh, WHY?

Couldn't they just build a more robust CVT for use in heavier duty applications?  I think it's been shown that CVT's perform better than high-multi gear transmissions.

Because Honda knows what ails you. In-house built 10spd transmission    Go full holistic when that craps out.

[Arthur Dent]

It will boost fuel economy by at least 6 percent over the six-speed and deliver a 14 percent improvement in acceleration

Pretty big claims. One has to expect there is a law of diminishing returns at play at some point.

[Fobroader]

At least do it right Honda!!!

[EV Dan]

^^^ not double clutching like you should. classic. NSFW!!   

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pB-bN-RkJLM

[dkaz]

Is anyone honestly asking for so many gears in a transmission? 

[RunsinLight]

So much innovation lately in transmissions I'll gladly stick with a manual or automatic that had been around for years that are far more reliable.

[HeliDriver]

Is anyone honestly asking for so many gears in a transmission? 

Yup. Some Obama fellow.

https://www.whitehouse.gov/the-press-office/2012/08/28/obama-administration-finalizes-historic-545-mpg-fuel-efficiency-standard

[Noto]

It will boost fuel economy by at least 6 percent over the six-speed and deliver a 14 percent improvement in acceleration, Honda said. Shifting will be 30 percent faster.

0.06 * 10.0L/100km combined fuel economy of the current RLX = 0.6L/100km gain.

Chance of reliability nightmare, or use of dog clutches?  Much higher.

[johngenx]

DO.  NOT.  WANT.

Put me in the camp of "build a solid CVT" and forget this.  These units are getting far too complex.  They have to fit all those gears into small cases that weigh no more than the old six speed.  In the meantime, consumers end up as test subjects in terms of reliability.

Our Corolla might have a very old fashioned four speed AT, but the car still gets superb fuel economy and it's great that we have a transmission with a long history of reliable service and longevity.  I'll take that anytime.  I'd think about taking a chance on Toyota's CVT, but I sure don't want o be an early adopter of these extra-extra-extra gear units.