BIO: PIERO AVERSA: THE DRIVER BEHIND FIESTA POWERSHIFT TRANSMISSION
12/02/09 12:03 AM Filed in: US Fiesta Debut
PIERO AVERSA: THE DRIVER BEHIND FIESTA POWERSHIFT TRANSMISSION
Piero Aversa is engineering manager for the PowerShift transmission, a critical component helping Fiesta deliver its 40 mpg highway
Originally from Ontario, Canada, Aversa has been with Ford his entire career
The father of four active children, Aversa spends a lot of time at hockey rinks, soccer fields and music recitals
Piero Aversa has shifted through numerous responsibilities in the powertrain development process from manufacturing through advanced design. But since college, Ford is the only place he has ever worked.
Aversa has been with Ford since 1985, starting as a co-op student tooling engineer in the Essex Engine Plant in Ontario, Canada. After four working terms in the Essex plant, Aversa hired on full-time upon graduating from the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario.
“I believe that I was destined to work in the auto industry, specifically for Ford,” said Aversa, the engineering manager for Fiesta’s innovative PowerShift transmission. “My father started with Ford at the Windsor Foundry in 1965, the year I was born. When I decided to pursue a career in mechanical engineering, my sights were always on Ford.”
Aversa went on to earn a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan.
“My career has covered the full spectrum of powertrain responsibilities,” said Aversa. “I’ve experienced the daily adrenaline rush of production and ‘sweated every detail’ in the strategic aspects of engine and transmission planning.”
As a co-op student, Aversa’s first assignment required a great deal of time making blueprint copies. He advanced to manufacturing process engineering, and ultimately became a production supervisor for 3.8-liter V-6 engines at the Essex plant.
At this point, Aversa’s engineering career took a turn toward engine design. As an intake manifold design engineer, Aversa worked on the 3.8- and 4.2-liter V-6 engine, notable for its “split-port” intake configuration. He was later assigned to 4.6- and 5.4-liter V-8 3-valve advanced engine design before being named powertrain planning analyst for Ford F-150, Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicle lines. He then served as engineering supervisor on the 5-speed 5R110 transmission which helped power F-Series pickups and E-Series vans.
In addition, Aversa worked as the engineering manager of advanced engine design and in an operational position as total cost and value engineering manager for Powertrain Operations.
Aversa led the automatic transmission programs for the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ before leading development on Fiesta’s new transmission. “Our team takes great pride in these transmissions,” said Aversa. “We introduced two new gearboxes with that platform program. Both were flawless launches, recognized for best-in-class quality.”
Aversa is proud of his team’s current work on Fiesta’s PowerShift.
“The goal for PowerShift was delivering a fuel-efficient, smooth-shifting transmission that makes Fiesta fun to drive,” he said.
The Fiesta’s PowerShift transmission is unique from several perspectives.
This innovative transmission employs dual, electronically-controlled mechanical clutches, one for odd gears (one, three and five) and one for even gears (reverse, two, four and six). In normal driving it exhibits the behavior of a traditional automatic gearbox.
“With six forward gears, it can quickly adapt to changing situations,” said Aversa. “An enthusiastic driver will find the shift quality to be responsive and accurate. Customers interested in maximizing fuel economy will also appreciate this new transmission due to the high mechanical efficiency of the gearbox.”
Fiesta with PowerShift is projected to deliver up to 40 mpg highway pending EPA certification.
“Traditionally, B-segment fuel economy leaders have been manual shift models,” Aversa said. “PowerShift is a key component in Fiesta’s fuel efficiency.”
Aversa is married and the father of four active children.
Personal Insights and Fun Facts
Aversa is a second-generation Ford employee
He began at Ford as a co-op intern during college
Aversa’s career has encompassed a wide variety of powertrain development positions
Aversa is married and the father of four active children
Piero Aversa is engineering manager for the PowerShift transmission, a critical component helping Fiesta deliver its 40 mpg highway
Originally from Ontario, Canada, Aversa has been with Ford his entire career
The father of four active children, Aversa spends a lot of time at hockey rinks, soccer fields and music recitals
Piero Aversa has shifted through numerous responsibilities in the powertrain development process from manufacturing through advanced design. But since college, Ford is the only place he has ever worked.
Aversa has been with Ford since 1985, starting as a co-op student tooling engineer in the Essex Engine Plant in Ontario, Canada. After four working terms in the Essex plant, Aversa hired on full-time upon graduating from the University of Waterloo in Waterloo, Ontario.
“I believe that I was destined to work in the auto industry, specifically for Ford,” said Aversa, the engineering manager for Fiesta’s innovative PowerShift transmission. “My father started with Ford at the Windsor Foundry in 1965, the year I was born. When I decided to pursue a career in mechanical engineering, my sights were always on Ford.”
Aversa went on to earn a master’s degree in mechanical engineering from the University of Michigan.
“My career has covered the full spectrum of powertrain responsibilities,” said Aversa. “I’ve experienced the daily adrenaline rush of production and ‘sweated every detail’ in the strategic aspects of engine and transmission planning.”
As a co-op student, Aversa’s first assignment required a great deal of time making blueprint copies. He advanced to manufacturing process engineering, and ultimately became a production supervisor for 3.8-liter V-6 engines at the Essex plant.
At this point, Aversa’s engineering career took a turn toward engine design. As an intake manifold design engineer, Aversa worked on the 3.8- and 4.2-liter V-6 engine, notable for its “split-port” intake configuration. He was later assigned to 4.6- and 5.4-liter V-8 3-valve advanced engine design before being named powertrain planning analyst for Ford F-150, Ford Expedition and Lincoln Navigator vehicle lines. He then served as engineering supervisor on the 5-speed 5R110 transmission which helped power F-Series pickups and E-Series vans.
In addition, Aversa worked as the engineering manager of advanced engine design and in an operational position as total cost and value engineering manager for Powertrain Operations.
Aversa led the automatic transmission programs for the Ford Fusion, Mercury Milan and Lincoln MKZ before leading development on Fiesta’s new transmission. “Our team takes great pride in these transmissions,” said Aversa. “We introduced two new gearboxes with that platform program. Both were flawless launches, recognized for best-in-class quality.”
Aversa is proud of his team’s current work on Fiesta’s PowerShift.
“The goal for PowerShift was delivering a fuel-efficient, smooth-shifting transmission that makes Fiesta fun to drive,” he said.
The Fiesta’s PowerShift transmission is unique from several perspectives.
This innovative transmission employs dual, electronically-controlled mechanical clutches, one for odd gears (one, three and five) and one for even gears (reverse, two, four and six). In normal driving it exhibits the behavior of a traditional automatic gearbox.
“With six forward gears, it can quickly adapt to changing situations,” said Aversa. “An enthusiastic driver will find the shift quality to be responsive and accurate. Customers interested in maximizing fuel economy will also appreciate this new transmission due to the high mechanical efficiency of the gearbox.”
Fiesta with PowerShift is projected to deliver up to 40 mpg highway pending EPA certification.
“Traditionally, B-segment fuel economy leaders have been manual shift models,” Aversa said. “PowerShift is a key component in Fiesta’s fuel efficiency.”
Aversa is married and the father of four active children.
Personal Insights and Fun Facts
Aversa is a second-generation Ford employee
He began at Ford as a co-op intern during college
Aversa’s career has encompassed a wide variety of powertrain development positions
Aversa is married and the father of four active children