Ford PowerShift twin-clutch transmission
June 26, 2008 by Anthony Crawford
It’s called “PowerShift” and it’s Ford’s new six-speed dual clutch transmission, which has just been introduced on the Focus and C-MAX ranges in the UK.
- Anthony Crawford
This is certainly good news for Ford fans and we can only hope that the potent XR5 Ford Focus is a recipient of this Getrag built gearbox.
While this transmission might be new to Ford, the technology has been employed in selected Audi and Volkswagen models for several years now and is mostly an outstanding driving experience.
While most modern automatic transmissions today are generally smooth shifting, especially those by the German ZF Group, there is still a significant loss of tractive power between ratios.
Not so, with the Twin clutch set up. Shifts are almost imperceptible with next to no loss power when either upshifting or downshifting. It’s quite incredible from a driving perspective as you can pretty much be in the correct gear, whether into or out of a corner.
Sounds complex? Not really. Just select “D” for drive, as you would in any other automatic car and off you go. But don’t expect to feel any sudden gear changes, because there aren’t any.
I reckon the ZF six speed gearbox currently employed by Ford, is one of the smoothest and quickest shifting transmissions on the market today. But while that may be true, the shift time between ratios is still around 350 milliseconds.
That’s slow compared to the 8 milliseconds on the upshift with the twin-clutch unit! That’s right; Ford’s new PowerShift is a lot quicker than Ferrari’s current 599 supercar, which is near enough to 100 milliseconds. It’s even faster than a current Formula One car.
The residual benefit is just as impressive, with overall fuel consumption and C02 emissions between four and eight percent less in a car with a twin clutch gearbox, which is good for your budget and even better for the environment.
While there is usually a premium to be paid on a car with dual clutch transmission, it is most likely a box you will tick after just a short test drive.
Print it: 
firstly, one of the great things about driving an overpowered little hatch like an xr5 is being in touch with the car via a manual gearbox. being able to control what the car does coming into corners, exiting corners, openning up on straights, it just aint the same with any type of auto trans.
and its very hard to lump the xr5 in with the ordinary focus in any discussion. the trim in the standard focus sucks, but level of trim in the xr5 suits it perfectly.
the resale of a standard focus is probably crap, but try finding a 2006 xr5 under 30k. its chalk and cheese…
The Focus ST is just such a great car for the price. even with the new lv model, ford are starting to stuff it up. i hope they dont ruin it by putting in all types of crap it doesnt need.
or at least, stuff it up, and send us the 2009 Focus RS to replace it.
FORD IF YOU’RE LISTENNING IMPORT THE XR5’S WITH POWERSHIFT !!!
(I’ll take one in white with sunroof thanks!)
I must agree the Focus interior is quite bland but quality wise i think its much better than the corolla, astra and definately the viva.
I would like to give the dual clutch gearbox a go but or a small car like the focus I’d still prefer a manual. Although I like my ZF Auto XR6 Turbo its definately the best auto ive ever driven. Although a dual clutch version would be fantastic
As per usual, Ford Europe is right up there with adopting/developing new technology and features, however Ford Oz won’t import it until all the other makes in Australia have had it for years. For example, the Euro Mondeo has adaptive (distance to vehicle in front) cruise control as an option, something only a few luxury brands have in the entire world. Do we get it here? Nope…And probably won’t until every other manufacturer has it and it’s not a unique selling point any more.
Andrew M – Oh no by all means I had no intention of implying that it shouldn’t be fitted. What I mean’t was, by detuning the ‘box down to maybe a 100ms shift time (if possible as I believe a lot of this stuff is software related as Ferrari went from something above 100ms (F430) down to 60ms (430) with a software change) Ford could then sell the optional PowerShift for a lowered price in the XR5 where that 8ms shift time isn’t ultimately necessary and therefore saving the buying some hard earned cash.
Think BMW on this one, 323i, 523i, both use the 2.5L straight six found in the 325i (no longer) and 525i but in de-tuned form – therefore cheaper.
This is why Ford small cars are better than Holden small cars now Holden is gonna see what chevrolet is gonna do about this since Holden copy everything Chevrolet does.
As far as the 207 resale compared with the focus Adam’s talk of it being worth nothing is typical of a person not good at their job.
If a yard doesn’t want the stock they should ring someone who does and will pay the right money.
Most cars go down 22%/year plus or minus depending on condition and kms.
I work in the trade too and i have traded 2008 Territory with 8000 km drop $18,000 compared with what the owner paid – they they got a deal when they bought it new.
Sure, some dealers were offing $4k less so they didnt get to own it.
You shop the wholesale market and you find someone who knows what the Pug is worth.
Peugeot is not like SAAB or Renault which actually are resale basket cases.