Fiat Powertrain’s new six-speed, dual-clutch gearbox will be offered on the new Dodge Dart in North America, the group’s transmissions chief, Constantinos Vafidis, has told Autocar.
Mated to Fiat’s 1.4-litre MultiAir engine, it offers 40mpg plus on the US cycle (the equivalent of 48mpg in Europe). This means that this is the engine/gearbox combination that allowed Fiat to increase its stake in Chrysler to 58.5 per cent recently.
The firm was allowed to purchase the extra Chrysler stake after it delivered on a promise to build a compact car in the US with 40mpg-plus economy.
Vafidis said the new gearbox could be mated to 80 per cent of Fiat’s current engines, and there was a possibility that the technology could be sold to other manufacturers once it’s established in Fiat products. It has first appeared on the Alfa Romeo Mito and Giulietta models.
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Re: Dual-clutch 'box for Dodge Dart
Given the Chrysler/Lancia mash up, is the Dart going to appear as a Fiat in Europe? Seems easy, replace the grille and bob's yer uncle. Looks more interesting than the Bravo too.
Re: Dual-clutch 'box for Dodge Dart
Is this the same gearbox that was given a luke warm review by Autocar in the Giulietta?
By the sounds of it they may need to do a bit more work before it is properly accepted by the Americans who are used to much better boxes.
Re: Dual-clutch 'box for Dodge Dart
This will no doubt provide a pleasent alternative to people who dont want to shift their own gears. I think this car will do well in America especially wearing a Dodge badge, and 40MPG plus!? the Americans wont know themselves after jumping out of their enormous pick ups with a 5.7L V8 haha