Volvo has joined the ranks of automakers offering twin-clutch gearboxes with Volvo Powershift. Developed in partnership with Getrag, powershift is a six-speed unit featuring twin wet clutches. One of these clutches works on the odd numbered gears and reverse, while the second clutch handles the even numbered gears.
Dual clutches offer higher performance, efficiency and quicker gear shifts as compared to traditional gearboxes. Volvo says that Powershift will consume eight percent less fuel as compared to automatic transmissions. Powershift can work in an automatic mode or a paddle controlled manual mode. This gearbox can handle torque upto the levels of 450 Nm. Powershift will be available in Volvo’s C30, S40 and V50 models. Each of these models features a 2.0-L four-cylinder turbodiesel engine which offers a maximum power of 136hp while generating 320Nm of torque.
[Courtesy: Volvo]
