"The big difference is the transmissions that we're going to offer in these vehicles and why it's going to make the 3-liter a great engine choice for this car," Rennecker said.
"With most four-speed automatic transmissions, like the Pacifica, you get a 4:1 ratio between the highest and lowest ratio that the transmission can provide. With the CVT, it will function like a six-speed transmission; you get a 6:1 ration which is a 50 percent improvement in the overall ratio of the transmission."
The CVT provides a very deep "first gear" with good torque multiplication for launch that also allows the Freestyle's engine to run at a slower speed on the highway for better fuel economy, Rennecker said.
"This will give us competitive performance with the Pacifica, but with substantially better fuel economy," he added.
The second advantage of the CVT is that there are no specific or discreet steps in shifting, so the car's performance will feel smooth for the driver. The engine will run at exactly the right speed for any given condition, without making compromises between a gear that is slightly too high or a one that is too low.
"We are not ready to publish fuel economy, but it will be several miles per gallon better than the Pacifica," Rennecker said.
The Freestyle comes standard as a front-wheel drive vehicle, but customers can opt for an all-wheel drive version as well.
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| Although actually a four-speed, the continuously variable transmission will function like a six-speed. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
The CVT provides a very deep "first gear" with good torque multiplication for launch that also allows the Freestyle's engine to run at a slower speed on the highway for better fuel economy, Rennecker said.
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| Comparable performance to the Pacifica, better fuel economy and a silky smooth shift-free ride, all thanks to the new CVT.(Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
The second advantage of the CVT is that there are no specific or discreet steps in shifting, so the car's performance will feel smooth for the driver. The engine will run at exactly the right speed for any given condition, without making compromises between a gear that is slightly too high or a one that is too low.
"We are not ready to publish fuel economy, but it will be several miles per gallon better than the Pacifica," Rennecker said.
The Freestyle comes standard as a front-wheel drive vehicle, but customers can opt for an all-wheel drive version as well.