COLOGNE, 10 February 2003 – Ford is introducing a new premium six-speed manual transmission to enhance the driving quality of the Ford Mondeo range yet further.  The new 6-speed gearbox, designated MMT6, will be offered in higher-output models in the range, starting with Mondeos equipped with the 130-PS Duratorq TDCi 2.0-litre high-pressure common-rail diesel engine.

The MMT6 manual transmission, which will now be fitted as standard equipment on the Mondeo TDCi 130PS, is designed to suit ideally the high torque output of the car’s premium Duratorq TDCi engine.  It gives customers a product that combines in-gear performance flexibility and top speed potential with improved fuel economy, and brings even greater refinement to the Mondeo TDCi because reduced engine revs at cruising speed result in quieter operation.

“The transmission is an important complement to a modern high-pressure common-rail diesel engine,” said Joerg Beyer, Mondeo chief programme engineer.  “Typically, we had a choice of configuring a five-speed to provide the customer with good acceleration or optimal top speed, but not both.  Adding one more gear allows the Mondeo to give customers both good acceleration and an uncompromised top-speed potential.”

Advantages in All Areas

Equipped with the MMT6, Mondeo 130-PS TDCi models feature uncompromised zero-to-100 kph acceleration, quicker in-gear acceleration for overtaking manoeuvres, higher top-speed potential and enhanced fuel economy:

·        With MMT6, Mondeo TDCi’s standing start performance feel is improved due to the use of closer ratios in the lower gears, enhancing pull-away acceleration.

·        The new six-speed manual does not compromise Mondeo TDCi’s zero-to-100-kph (62 mph) acceleration time of 9.8 seconds.

·        Top speed of the Mondeo TDCi with the new six-speed manual also is higher, 208 kph (129 mph), compared with 200 kph (124 mph) for models with the five-speed transmission.

·        Real-world fuel economy is improved by up to 7 per cent on the motorway, due to MMT6’s higher sixth gear, which is configured for economical and more comfortable high-speed cruising. 

“We have chosen an extremely well-selected set of gears across a wider ratio,” Beyer said.  “The MMT6 really enhances the diesel engine characteristics our customers expect, and it contributes further to Mondeo TDCi’s powerful, responsive performance feel.”

Fuel Economy Improved

Equipped with the 130-PS Duratorq TDCi 2.0-litre engine and the new MMT6 transmission, the Mondeo TDCi achieves fuel consumption ratings – in litres per 100 kilometres – of: 8.0 (34 mpg) urban, 4.6 (55 mpg) extra urban and 5.8 (46 mpg) combined on the new European driving cycle.  Its CO2 output is rated at 154 grams per kilometre.

The MMT6 features a twin lay shaft design with the most commonly used gears – first through fourth on one lay shaft with dual synchros, and fifth, sixth and reverse using a different final drive ratio on the second lay shaft:

Mondeo MMT6 Manual Transmission

Gear Ratios

1st

2nd

3rd

4th

5th

6th

Reverse

Final Drive Set

3.077

1.864

1.241

0.842

0.886

0.711

1.360

4.071 (1/2/3/4)

2.850 (5/6/Rev)

12.526

7.588

5.052

3.428

2.525

2.026

11.926

Overall

 

Unlike other Ford transmissions, the shift pattern is up and left for reverse gear.

Adopt a Driving Style

The wider ratios of the new six-speed transmission – with the higher gears helping to optimise both acceleration and fuel economy – means that Mondeo TDCi is more suited to drivers who wish to adopt a particular style of driving.

“Some of our customers want to take full advantage of the power and torque of the Duratorq TDCi engine and use their Mondeo TDCi for high-speed cruising on the motorway, including the German Autobahn,” Beyer said. “Other customers are more economy-oriented.  With the new MMT6 transmission, the Mondeo TDCi is more adaptable to these different driving styles.”

Driving style is extremely important in determining a vehicle’s ultimate fuel consumption in the real world, especially for a high-output diesel with tempting levels of torque.  The six-speed transmission aids the driver in operating efficiently by providing taller gearing for cruising, which brings down engine revs by better adapting engine load to operating conditions.

Ford high-mileage fuel consumption testing has shown a definite improvement in fuel economy, especially at speed on motorways.

Driving Quality Enhanced

The new MMT6 transmission further enhances the acclaimed driving quality of the Ford Mondeo.  Its shifting quality – crisp and accurate – adds to the high levels of refinement enjoyed by the Mondeo customer.

Its high sixth gear ensures quieter engine operation at highway speed.

Despite its refinement, the new MMT6 manual transmission is robustly capable of handling the impressive 330 Nm (242 lb.-ft.) of torque generated by the premium Duratorq TDCi common-rail turbodiesel engine.  The engine also features overboost technology that in certain conditions under acceleration allows the driver to take advantage of bursts of added torque.

The engine and transmission are installed in a Mondeo chassis that is well suited to their performance capabilities.  Acknowledged since its introduction for its outstanding driving quality, Mondeo’s chassis provides highly capable handling, precise steering, reassuring braking power and high levels of ride comfort.

Product of Ford-Getrag Joint Venture

Manufactured in Cologne, the MMT6 is a major product of the joint venture between Ford and Getrag (GETRAG FORD Transmissions GmbH) to create the latest transmission technology for the driving quality of Ford vehicles.

“The MMT6 illustrates perfectly the objectives set for this joint venture,” said Tobias Hagenmayer, chief executive officer of GETRAG FORD Transmissions GmbH.  “It demonstrates how we can collaborate to achieve exciting and dependable new technologies that keep Ford products highly contemporary and appealing.”

Featuring a three-shaft design, the MMT6 is characterised by its extremely short architecture that is ideally suited to front-wheel-drive applications.  The MMT6 is exceptionally compact for a six-speed transmission, with a footprint no larger than that of the Ford MTX75 five-speed gearbox.  Thus its use requires no changes to other aspects of the vehicle’s drivetrain and chassis architecture. 

The transmission is characterised by a number of modern technologies, including the use of laser-welded stamped steel sliding gear selector sleeves.  Replacing the cast forks of previous-generation gearboxes, this elegant but tough approach is less prone to internal damage.

The MMT6 gear set is neatly clustered along two rigid, hollow, internally lubricated lay shafts, allowing two different final-drive ratios.  The most commonly used gears – first through fourth – are arrayed on one lay shaft and equipped with dual synchros for shifting smoothness.  Fifth, sixth and reverse gears are fitted to the second shaft.  Each gear uses needle bearings for refinement and long service life.

The new transmission weighs just 52 kilograms (115 lb.) dry.

Despite its compactness and light weight, the new MMT6 transmission is well suited to high-torque applications like the Duratorq TDCi engine, and its design architecture has the flexibility to be upgraded for future applications that are either more powerful or performance-oriented.

The transmission offers excellent shiftability, via one central gear selector unit.  Its cold-shiftability also is improved over previous generation units.  It requires less than 2 litres of low-friction synthetic lubricant.

The joint venture between Getrag and Ford for the engineering and manufacture of manual transmissions in Europe came into operation in 2001.  The joint venture has its headquarters in Cologne and has ownership of the former manual transmission operations of Ford in Europe, together with development, engineering and testing facilities.

The new MMT6 manual transmission is part of a process of continuous improvement in the Mondeo powertrain range.  Since its introduction in 2000, the new Ford Mondeo has extended its powertrain offerings with new Duratorq TDCi engines and a new Durashift 5-Tronic automatic transmission designed for higher output engines.