Conventional torque converter transmission

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Sun 4 Oct 2015 15:20
Conventional torque converter transmission - billz44

Hell Folks, first post.

Can anyone tell me of medium size hatchbacks made since about 2009 which have a conventional torque converter gearbox?

Thanks

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Sun 4 Oct 2015 18:17
Conventional torque converter transmission - gordonbennet

Almost, if not all, Korean cars use TC autos.

Suzuki yes, Mazda think so.

Some mainstream makes have TC autos in their medium hatches but they are rare, the problem being many give their weirdo non TC boxes three letter acronyms, ie DSG, which means nowt to most of us other than translates into ''it'll costa packet when it goes wrong mate''.

I'm not sure if HJ does a list of such vehicles/gearboxes but it would be very useful, an at a glance avoid like the plague list.

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Sun 4 Oct 2015 19:00
Conventional torque converter transmission - Wukl

It's a shame that KIA seem to have moved away from torque converters with the md-life refresh of the Cee'd. And agreed, if HJ could provide a list that would be great, if a bit of a labour of love! His list of chain-vs-belt was very useful.

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Sun 4 Oct 2015 20:34
Conventional torque converter transmission - John Boy

Being pedantic, not all automatic Suzuki's have a torque convertor box. I know it's not a medium sized hatchback, but the SX4 S-Cross (2013) had a CVT box and a twin clutch box is about to be available.

I think it might be easier, Billz44, if you turn your query round and specify exactly which vehicles you're interested in. Your original question is very general and difficult to answer with accuracy.

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Sun 4 Oct 2015 21:29
Conventional torque converter transmission - RT

It's a brave man these days to proclaim that a brand uses xyz type of transmission - most brands I can think of have DCTs, CVTs and conventional torque converter automatic transmissions.

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Mon 5 Oct 2015 21:46
Conventional torque converter transmission - billz44

.

Edited by billz44 on 05/10/2015 at 21:48

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Mon 5 Oct 2015 10:34
Conventional torque converter transmission - colinh

Had a Mk. 1 Cee'd TC automatic - two litre petrol engine (think they had a 1.6 in UK) - no problems over 3+ years - averaged 37.7 mpg.

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Mon 5 Oct 2015 13:33
Conventional torque converter transmission - slkfanboy

New Cee no longer have TC's

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Mon 5 Oct 2015 15:02
Conventional torque converter transmission - movilogo

Ceed diesel still uses TC while petrol one is now DCT only.

In fact, all Kia diesels still use TC AFAIK.

Suzuki Vitara (new) will have a TC petrol version soon.

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Mon 5 Oct 2015 17:06
Conventional torque converter transmission - Avant

I know that the Hyundai i10 has a TC automatic as an option: smaller than you need, but it's worth checking what is offered on the i20 and i30. Maybe someone on here will know.

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Mon 5 Oct 2015 21:52
Conventional torque converter transmission - billz44

Thanks for the replies.

John Boy, I am interested in all medium hatchbacks with a conventional TC Box.

When I have this list I can narrow the choice from there.

However, it seems that any list will be minimal

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Tue 6 Oct 2015 07:17
Conventional torque converter transmission - RT

Thanks for the replies.

John Boy, I am interested in all medium hatchbacks with a conventional TC Box.

When I have this list I can narrow the choice from there.

However, it seems that any list will be minimal

It'll depend on age - the older you go, the more likely to find a TC autobox - if you're buying new there won't be many at all now in that market segment.

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Sat 10 Oct 2015 23:24
Conventional torque converter transmission - Big John

I know that the Hyundai i10 has a TC automatic as an option: smaller than you need, but it's worth checking what is offered on the i20 and i30. Maybe someone on here will know.

The Hyundai i30 had a TC automatic until the recent facelift. A friend had the 1.6 petrol auto and it was very good indeed especially in the Active spec

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Mon 5 Oct 2015 23:04
Conventional torque converter transmission - Jodd

Ssangyong cars uses 6 speed tc autos (think the same as the mini). More Quasqhai crossover than hatchback though.

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Tue 6 Oct 2015 01:49
Conventional torque converter transmission - John Boy

You're right, Billz44, you'll be lucky to find anyone with the comprehensive list you're looking for.

A way of creating it for yourself, is to look at medium hatchbacks in HJ's Car by Car Reviews and check out the Specifications page for each one. If you find an auto car on there, look for the same car, with the same engine, but a manual box and compare the fuel consumption figures. If the auto consumes considerably more fuel, it's likely to have a TC box. If the consumption is very similar, then it's likely to be one of the other types.

When you've finished, post your list on here please.

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Tue 6 Oct 2015 08:55
Conventional torque converter transmission - KenC

medium sized ?

have a look at the New Mazda 2

lightweight 6-speed torque converter automatic available only

with the 90PS 1.5 petrol engine.

road test on this site

Edited by KenC on 06/10/2015 at 08:56

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Tue 6 Oct 2015 10:51
Conventional torque converter transmission - Fernando P

My Nissan Note 1.6 (09) has a Japanese made torque converter auto box which is very good.

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Tue 6 Oct 2015 19:52
Conventional torque converter transmission - DavidGlos
Current Peugeot 308 has a 'proper' auto. I believe they refer to it as EAT or efficient automatic transmission. Decent claimed MPG with 1.2 petrol turbo or 2.0 diesel.
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Sat 10 Oct 2015 20:52
Conventional torque converter transmission - xtrailman

Having recently researched auto transmissions i've found its a very complex subject.

Fact is there are many many different types fitted, even by the same manufacturer.

The Mazda CX-5 i've recently ordered has a small TC thats used upto around 5mph, then after that its using a double clutch, or something like that.

Its made by Mazda according to an email from CS.

Its a GW6A(X)-EL transmission.

ftp://188.65.79.117/technical-training/BG/Manual%20.do%20not%20translate/MTC_316_V1%20(Teil%202)%20EN_MCSEE.pdf

Edited by xtrailman on 10/10/2015 at 20:53

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Tue 20 Oct 2015 21:25
Conventional torque converter transmission - billz44

In the end it boiled down to just two

Mazda 3

Honda Civic 1.8 ( not ishift)

The civic it was, a 2011 ES 5dr.

Very happy so far

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Tue 20 Oct 2015 22:44
Conventional torque converter transmission - balleballe

Even though the civic is mated to a TC auto it is still impressively frugal for a 140ps 1.8. Good choice

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Tue 20 Oct 2015 23:12
Conventional torque converter transmission - gordonbennet

What a decent poster too, came back and updated the forum, thankyou, come back soon and tell us how the Civic's going.

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Wed 21 Oct 2015 21:02
Conventional torque converter transmission - billz44

Thanks everyone

@ gb

Will do, thanks

Edited by billz44 on 21/10/2015 at 21:04

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Thu 22 Oct 2015 16:22
Conventional torque converter transmission - John Boy

Billz choice prompted me to look at the specifications for the Civic. I was struck by how little difference there is between the fuel consumption of the TC auto and manual versions. How do Honda manage to achieve that?

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Wed 28 Oct 2015 11:59
Conventional torque converter transmission - steelghost

As I understand it, if you design a TC gearbox such that it is able to spend as much as time as possible "locked up", then it will be more efficient than one which has to use the TC to effectively slip the transmission.

I'm no expert in transmissions of any type so I'll refer to the best explanation I've found of how to build a more efficient TC AT; article talks about Mazda but I assume the basic engineering principles apply anywhere.

From here www.honestjohn.co.uk/news/green-motoring/2011-06/m.../

SKYACTIV transmissions

The SKYACTIV 6-speed automatic transmissions aim to combine the advantages of a manual transmission with those of an automatic without the downsides of poor economy and slurred shifts.

They do this by using a very compact torque converter, a new type of mechatronics valve box and torque converter lock-up in all gears, not just 6 th .

Quick shifting is enabled by a fast response to changes in hydraulic oil pressure achieved by the hydraulic valve box, and downshifts take place faster than in a preselector twin shaft, twin clutch transmission.

The only torque converter ‘slip’ occurs during start up and then very momentarily during gearchanges. Whereas a standard torque converter automatic has a lock up ratio of around 64%, SKYACTIV-Drive has an 89% lock up ratio.

Fuel economy is improved by between 4% and 7%.

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Wed 28 Oct 2015 17:56
Conventional torque converter transmission - John Boy

My question wasn't rhetorical, so thanks for that Steelghost. I assume, then, that Honda did something similar with their TC box. I notice that the Civic (2006 - 2011) was offered with a choice of 2 types of auto transmission and that made me wonder how they were promoted at the time.

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Wed 4 Nov 2015 18:33
Conventional torque converter transmission - billz44

Hello Folks.

I owned a Low mileage 1.4 (2001) civic auto previously for 4 years which was very quiet ( couldn't hear the engine when at lights) relatively sluggish, steering experience not so good though I got used to it. Very reliable.

Having owned the civic three weeks these are my early impressions

Latest Civic 2011 es auto 24,000m 1 previous owner.

Pros

Looks great, inside and out. Driving seat comfortable.

Internal cabin and dash layed out well.

Quite nippy, good positive steering and grips the road very well into bends on 17" wheels and low profile tyres I think they are called.

Cons

Fair bit of road noise through transmission and tyres.

Firmish ride, probably get used to that.

Overall a little disappointed because of noise levels otherwise a positive drive.

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