Volvo Transmissions: Automatic and Manual For Sale
The two-litre turbo-diesel engines for the Volvo C30, S40 and V50 became available in January 2008, with a new automatic transmission. This new Powershift transmission is a six-speed unit. The most obvious differences are the twin wet clutches that provide better shift quality than that of a fully-automatic transmission.
Along with it’s partner, Getrag, the new transmissions have been developed for Volvo Cars. Powershift operates in theory as two self aligning manual gearboxes. It has a twin wet clutch setup that work independently of each another.
“The two clutches alternate when operating, with one fully engaged while the other fully disengages. Operating in a manner that lets the engine gets full power and maximum power in first gear, while second gear is ready to be engaged. And when second gear has been engaged, third gear is ready to be engaged when commanded, and so on. This flows continuous power, resulting in extremely fast shift with minimal shift overlap while maintaining continuous uninterrupted acceleration.” from Volvocars.com
The Powershift function is based on the technology used in a manual gearbox but the difference is that the two wet clutches are each linked with their own input shaft.
“The inner shaft regulates the output shaft for first, third, fifth and reverse gears, while the outer shaft controls second, fourth and sixth gears. The clutch function is operated by an electro-hydraulic control unit that ensures that one clutch is shut while the other is open, and vice versa. Each clutch functions like a slip clutch. A piston pushes a number of clutch plates against each other and locks them together through the resultant friction.” from Volvocars.com
Powershift has an option built into it that permits sequential shifting, much like Volvo’s Geartronic transmission. Since Powershift does not need a torque converter, planetary gears or multiple wet clutches, there is no wasted energy as in a conventional automatic transmission.
The Powershift transmission can withstand high powered engines too, and in principle has few limitations on ratio choices. This makes it an ideal upgrade for today’s modern, powerful diesel engines.
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