New patents filed
by BMW show that the company is
investing in a new 7-speed manual
gearbox. While it would not be a world-first (Porsche already claimed that with the new 911), the transmission
would certainly be a first for BMW. Also, it would herald a brand new concept
in gear changes, something that would be a world-first.
According to files in the European patents offices, a 7-speed manual gearbox was applied for
and detailed by the company from Bavaria. It is in line with increasing emissions
laws that demand car makers reduce C02
carbon emissions drastically over the next 10 years. Put very simplistically, the
more gears a gearbox has, the more it saves fuel (terms and conditions always apply). But so far manufacturers have
only gone for the 6-speed manual,
with automatic being the more adventurous one at a high of 8-speed or CTV (unlimited gears).
A much more interesting prospect
is one where BMW is said to also be investigating the use of a an automatic gearbox
that looks and behaves like a manual, but cuts out the clutch pedal. Thus drivers get to change gears as if they were
driving a manual using a gated gear lever, except with only two pedals to
contend with – brake and accelerator.
No more stalling! Best of both
worlds.
At IN4RIDE have
always wondered why no one has devoted time to this concept yet, and are quite excited
that BMW is at least looking at it.
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