Jaakkoe

Land Rover Defender could continue until 2017 - report Surely they would need an exemption for more than the pedestrian safety regulations? How is it possible that the Defender - even in it's latest incarnation - doesn't have a driver's airbag? Also, I think stability control is becoming mandatory in all car models sold new in the EU. Can't think of a reason why they haven't added those safety features in yet, especially with all those powertrain and interior modifications in the past few years. It can be done even in an old bodyshell, as Merc has shown with their G.

Autonomous Audi TTS ascends Pikes Peak I bet the fact that the TTS is equipped with a manual tranny made this even more challenging, as they also had to device a mechatronics module out of the blue. With an automatic (DSG) they probably could've just consentrated on the "autonomous" side of things.

2011 Dodge Challenger V6 specs released I think you're right, but it's still an improvement over the old 4-speeder legacy automatic the V6 use to employ. The good news is that Chrysler recently bought a license from ZF to start building their 8HP 8-speeder in Chrysler powertrain factories. I assume that the eightball will start replacing the TF- and Merc-based 'boxes in all car-based rwd applications of Fiat-Chrysler.

2011 Audi Q7 Receives New Engines and 8-Speed Trans "Based on the previous six-speed unit, the eight-speed gearbox features an additional friction-clutch shift element for improved fuel efficiency." Uhm, I doubt that's true. I assume the new trans is the ZF 8HP, which really doesn't share any parts with the 2nd gen 6HP.

Volvo Announces New GTDi Engine with Unique Turbo System Ford Ecoboost, ie.

Audi Combines Start-Stop Function With S-tronic Automatic Transmission Indeedi-o, DogFalcon, mating s&s with an automatic transmission has proved to be much harder than with manuals, excluding hybrids. The Hydramatics and 6 speed ZFs that BMW use certainly don't support s&s as standard. The new 8hp however does, and I expect to see all future models utilizing it to have stop&start.

Mercedes-Benz S 250 CDI BlueEfficiency cometh - First ever 4-cylinder S-Class The power figures will be higher than on the C and E Classes, namely 165 kw and 540 Nm (versus 500 found in the lower state of tune). This will most definately also have the 7G-Tronic like the four-cylinder GLK and the E and C will make switch for it soon. This having the 7G-Tronic also makes it compatible with Merc's mild hybrid technology. If only they'd be smart enough to offer an S 300 CDI BlueHybrid four-banger.

Saab 9-5 Spied with Undisguised Front & Rear Lights I think we'll soon have enough "exciting" 4dr coupes and estates sacrificing space and practicality in the name of desing. Saab should instead stay true to the combi-principle and make this a practical 5dr with a large hatch, yet still looking timeless, and sleek too, unlike the Superb. That, I think, would be the more exciting choice at this point; not going with the flow.

Mercedes E250 BlueTEC and ML450 Hybrid Debut in New York - Plus Other New Models Umh,I don't think I've mentioned anything about that? If you're referring to the comments made by other users, they're right, the V12 models do utilize a five speed box. Whereas the SL63 AMG has the MCT, which isn't up for more torque either, not in its present incarnation, anyways. That's due to the fact that it's essentially a 7G-Tronic with a ZF-Sachs startup clutch.

Mercedes E250 BlueTEC and ML450 Hybrid Debut in New York - Plus Other New Models I doubt the lack of 7G-tronic in the normal models is for performance reasons: surely the 7G is also better at that, given it's larger number of gears, faster shift times and more advanced logic. I'm guessing it's merely a cost-related issue, that they intend to fix come next facelift and/or model year, in the smaller CGI models too. Also the V12 models using a five-speed tranny rely on it because the 7G isn't rated for that much torque/kw. I'm saying_A_tranny cause I doubt it has much to do with the 5-speed on the smallest engines. Principle/design perhaps, but in a much more durable package.