[focusse]

Will the optional automatic transmission being offered in the all new 2011 U.S. Fiesta be the Powershift 6 speed dual dry clutch automatic or a standard 6 speed (non-Powershift) automatic transmission? I'm sure Ford won't be offering 2 different automatic transmissions for the Fiesta. Here's a quote from Ford that GhiaFan posted yesterday:

We plan to offer advanced six-speed transmissions, both PowerShift and regular six-speed technology, on 100 percent of our new vehicles by 2013.

Sustainability Report 2008/9 - Improving Fuel Economy - Ford

 

[mrbirdman330]

Ford reports were getting the Powershift Automatic and I believe it will be the dry clutch version.

 

[azulejost]

Anything that has talked about the automatic has said the dry clutch PowerShift 6-speed will make its debut in the US Fiesta. What that quote makes me hope is that the dream of a 6-speed manual comes true as well. Less than 3 weeks and we should know the truth for at least the 2011 model, and I doubt that will change over the first few model years.

 

[FiestaFan]

I'd be very surprised if there wasn't a manual standard on the Fiesta, if only as a price leader.

 

[Mark Kleis]

Expect a traditional 5-speed manual to be standard, and the 6-speed Powershift dual-clutch dry transmission to be the automatic.

Can you say HELL YEAH?!

 

[FiestaFan]

Oh yes. I fully intend to get the Powershift, it should be awesome.

 

[BRGT350]

I am sticking with the clutched version of the a manual and not the Powershift gearbox. From people that I have talked to about DSG style transmissions, they all say that a traditional manual is more fun on the street than the DSG. If I was buying a car strictly for autocrossing, I would consider the Powershift since it shifts faster than I can. My Fiesta will see 99% street and 1% track, so I will opt for the real manual. I would like to drive one first to see what it is like, but I have a feeling I won't get the chance before buying mine.

 

[PowerShift]

Ford has certainly dropped many hints about the PowerShift dry dual-clutch being in the Fiesta, but when you actually ask somebody they say "we can't confirm". I still worry that Ford might pull a Nissan Versa and drop in a conventional 4-speed as the price-leader automatic.

I really think the PowerShift is a cool piece of technology and even made it my username here, but in recent weeks I've been leaning towards getting the conventional manual. I think it will make ordering easier (no needing to jump up a trim level to get the PowerShift) and lead to greater satisfaction down the road. It'll just be a learning curve in the beginning since I've never owned a manual car before.

 

[BRGT350]

I think it is outstanding engineering, and I always thought I would end up with a paddle gearbox. I have found that mastering the old manual gearbox is a challenge, and I am not ready to give that up. For me, fun it trying to balance the car going into a corner while heel-n-toe downshifting and left foot braking. Getting my hands and feet to all work in sync with the mechanics of the car is a challenge. A PowerShift gearbox takes that away from me.

I wish I could have a chance to drive a PowerShift Fiesta before ordering mine, but I would have to wait until at least June to find one, test drive it, and order mine. That would put me further away from my car. I know I will love a manual transmission, so that is what I will go with. From an engineering standpoint, the PowerShift is vasty better. From a fun standpoint, I think the manual is more fun.

 

[Turbo]

Anyone have a guess as to how much the Powershift option will raise the cost of the vehicle, Vs. the manual Transmission option?

 

[focusse]

Does the Powershift automatically come with the paddleshifters or no? Hopefully not because I'd never use them. Hopefully the paddleshifters are an optional upgrade item and not standard with this type of transmission.

 

[Mark Kleis]

Does the Powershift automatically come with the paddleshifters or no? Hopefully not because I'd never use them. Hopefully the paddleshifters are an optional upgrade item and not standard with this type of transmission.

They likely will be included - but don't worry, they don't force you to use them just because they are there

 

[focusse]

They likely will be included - but don't worry, they don't force you to use them just because they are there

Well I guess if they come with it I can just break them off or have them removed. I dislike cluttered steering wheels. The Powershift transmission is fine, I don't need all the other crap that comes with it. Paddleshifters are too gimicky. I wonder how many people actually use them in real world driving. I'll bet not many.

 

[BRGT350]

I don't mind paddle shifters, I just don't like the idea it is missing the clutch pedal. If was a sequential gearbox with clutch pedal, I would be all over it!

 

[mrbirdman330]

If I'm going to have paddles, I want a slap shifter on the center console and a clutch pedal.

 

[focusse]

They likely will be included - but don't worry, they don't force you to use them just because they are there

The Honda Fit has the paddleshifters but only on the Fit Sport with automatic transmission. Oh well, I guess we'll know everything about what we are getting in a few weeks.

 

[golf strom]

The technology is great but complexity and newer designs in critical hard part items like trannies can be a real pain in the butt for owners, if anyone knows about the DSGs from VW you know that while nice they are expensive, to buy and maintain, still questionble reliability, and not nearly as entertaining as the REAL thing, a truly manual gearbox. Which is what I will be purchasing.

 

[FiestaFan]

Going by Ford's exemplary reliability record of late I doubt the Fiesta will have any quality problems but the complicated nature of the Powershift gearbox is a tad troubling. Still, if they're confident enough to put in what will likely be the majority of cars then it's probably been exhaustively tested, so it shouldn't be any more problematic than a conventional torque converter auto.

 

[focusse]

Going by Ford's exemplary reliability record of late I doubt the Fiesta will have any quality problems but the complicated nature of the Powershift gearbox is a tad troubling. Still, if they're confident enough to put in what will likely be the majority of cars then it's probably been exhaustively tested, so it shouldn't be any more problematic than a conventional torque converter auto.

I agree. The all new Fiesta must be absolutely trouble free right out of the gate. The North American launch must be flawless. There can be no silly recalls or gaffes because if there are any Ford will never hear the end of it. Personally, I've tried to avoid buying the first year of any new redesigned model. Maybe that's old school thinking, I don't know. Maybe the reason North America is the last to get the all new Fiesta is so that by the time it goes on sale here the bugs will already have been worked out.

 

[Chibana]

The replacement for my Mazda3 as my commuter car must be something my wife can drive when necessary, and also something I will enjoy driving. If the Fiesta doesn't offer the PowerShift with paddle shifters and a good shift program, I will likely look elsewhere (or, hopefully, the Focus will offer this). I guess I would be OK with a good standard automatic as long as it has paddle shifters and an aggressive program, allowing me to redline the car and have rev-matched downshifts.