NEW FALCON: new trannies at last

Falcon will move into the Noughties, and ahead of its Commodore cooking-model competitors with the arrival of new six-speed manual and five-speed automatic transmissions for the FG range.

The new six-speed manual will find its way into all manual transmission FG variants, sedans and utes, sixes and V8. The new Ford 5R55 automatic five-speeder will replace the previous four-speed unit on petrol sedans and utes.

E-gas models and the 'carryover' BF MkIII wagon (more here) will retain the existing four-speed auto for the foreseeable future.

"Both new transmissions deliver significant improvements to overall vehicle refinement, along with the performance and driveability enhancements in a number of key areas," Ford Australia Powertrain Engineering Manager, Lee Kernich claimed.

"The five-speed auto has a wider spread of ratios than the outgoing four-speed design, which improves vehicle performance and offers a greater dynamic range.

"The new six-speed manual is a major upgrade of the previous T56 six-speed manual transmission and delivers improved shift feel and refinement, along with a number of clutch upgrades and enhancements for reduced pedal efforts and increased clutch durability."

The new five-speed automatic is a development of the transmission used in US-market Explorer models. Redesigned in conjunction with Ford engineers in the USA it is  produced in Bordeaux in France.

Like the four-speed it replaces it features Sequential Sports Shift and an enhanced 'Performance' auto mode. The box's performance mode features: back-out up-shift inhibit -- to prevent shift 'busyness' when cornering; enhanced engine braking and downhill brake assist.

Ford says the transmission also features a new shift strategy that includes: hunting prevention -- to prevent unwanted upshifts;  grade lock in all gears -- to improve vehicle driveability as well as aiding transmission cooling and reducing fuel consumption; an enhanced warm-up mode; and increased cooling capacity.

The transmission upgrade permits the new FG Falcon to tow up to 2300kg (with the appropriate towing package) without the need for additional transmission oil coolers.

There are also specific transmission calibrations for the sedan and ute with the latter optimised for its "workhorse duties".

The new six-speed manual is supplied by Tremec and is used in some Mustang models by Ford USA. It replaces both the T5 five-speed manual on previous XL and XLS Ute models, as well as the T56 six-speed manual on XR sedans and Utes.

There are three variants of the TR6060 transmission: I6 engine (Falcon Ute/Falcon XR6), I6 Turbo engine (XR6 Turbo) and V8 (XR8). According to Ford, the I6 Turbo and V8 specific transmissions have a different set of ratios to the I6 models, for "improved performance and a more defined sports feel".

Significant effort has gone into the transmission specification and details such as the gearlever position and configuration to optimise shift precision and feel, say Ford insiders. Upgraded triple synchromesh on first and second gears, and double synchromesh on all other gears, including reverse have significantly reduced shift efforts and lever travel.

The new box's design features a single-piece countershaft and larger gear for greater torque capacity and better durability, Ford says.

Despite higher clutch clamping pressures (and in the case of the I6 Turbo and V8 a bigger clutch) clutch effort has also been reduced by using a new over-centre spring. This has reduced clutch forces by more than 25 per cent Ford says.

Check out our detailed coverage of the new Falcon engine variants via the links below

4.0-litre I6 engine - more here
4.0-litre I6 Turbo - more here
Boss 290 - more here
4.0-litre I6 E-Gas - more here
New transmissions - more here

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