Hyundai reveals fuel-efficient six-speed auto
December 24, 2008 by George Skentzos
In the pursuit of economy, Hyundai has completed development of an all-new six-speed automatic transmission that will boost fuel economy by more than 12.2 percent.
With this latest endeavour, Hyundai becomes only the third company in the world to develop its own six-speed automatic transaxle, behind Toyota and a GM/Ford joint venture.
The new transmission has been designed for transverse engine applications in passenger vehicles, and is 12kg lighter with 62 fewer parts compared to the current five-speed automatic transmission which it replaces.
The addition of a sixth gear enables closer spacing between ratios providing a better balance of performance and fuel economy, while the wide overall gear ratio helps deliver strong acceleration.
“The strength of our design is its completely unique layout, which makes it smaller, more compact and lighter than any other six-speed on the market today,” said Hong-Min Kim, the project manager of the transaxle at Hyundai R&D Centre.
The new transmission will be rolled out on selected models in 2009 onwards, making its debut in the Hyundai Grandeur equipped with a 3.3-litre V6 petrol engine.
In this model, it delivers an aforementioned 12.2 percent gain in fuel economy, slashes the zero to 100km/h sprint by 0.2 seconds and offers better overtaking performance.
The transmission is also maintenance-free, needing no top-up of fluids over its lifespan, thereby reducing servicing costs.
A total of 16 petrol and diesel models in the Hyundai line-up will receive the new six-speed transmission, including a redesigned Santa Fe which is due to arrive in late 2009.
Print it: 
So what will it do lits/100 in a typical car. Seems Hyundia and Mazda are making noises about weight reduction in their vehicles to achieve economy targets being imposed.
Ooooh Ooooh Oooh ! ****** Primo ******
Maintenance free they say? So the friction material just disappears does it? Those Hyundai’s must have a very short life span.
When the Sonata CRDi came out with only a 4-speed auto and that auto was very restricted in towing capacity, I quickly lost interest. This new box should team with Hyundai’s diesel engines beautifully. I had wondered why Hyundai were saying little or nothing about dual-clutch technology. If this box really delivers the economy they claim, then they hardly need dual-clutch except, perhaps for Tiburon class of performance focused cars. Bravo Hyundai; leading the market, not dragging along behind like so many others.
I wonder if I can retrofit this to my I30 diesel hahaha – sounds wonderful
Good on Hyundai. At least they came up with something.
People, this is a transaxle transmission, can’t retrofit into a FF car. And making the gearbox to have AWD is much more difficult than you think.
To OSU811,
Ask to Toyota first !!!
Leading the way with smart R&D and not lagging like most!
Take note subaru, if hyundai can do it. then surely subaru can develop there own 6speed auto to go with there symmetrical awd configeration.. ITS TIME!!!
i’d have an issue with “maintence free”auto tranny.what happens when say a gasket starts leaking..
I would expect Kia would see this new technology as well. It is the Hyundai – Kia Automotive group.
Ivan, yes its a transaxle but it is for a “transversely mounted” engine, aka east-west engine, so it is a transaxle for a FF layout car.
(Most Hyundai’s a FF layout)
sorry…my bad!
Maintenance free gearbox….did they invent a type of oil that never breaks down or something??? (that would be the biggest invention…although the most environmentally unfriendly)
Yeah if they could fit this in the i30 crdi it would be a beauty!
This would be a beauty in the i30 range, especially the diesel.
The current 4 speed auto in the diesel i30 is terrible when compared to the manual for fuel consumption.
This auto could make the i30 diesel a real winner if it does find its way in to it.
I think Hyundai would be silly to continue with the crappy 4 speed auto they currently have.
Nice to see an auto giant getting serious about efficiency instead of annual “tweaks” to engine management systems.
I think u will find that most modern autos including the four speed units don’t require an oil change anymore.
Realcars, perhaps that is why The Dog and Lemon Guide states that most modern auto transmissions shit themselves between 100 & 150k’s with an expensive repair bill.
Oh and another thing they also said to avoid a CVT transmission like the plague. I agree with them on that one.
Falcon autos are good for about 200,000klms if not serviced.Replaced the one in my au ute at 210,000klms.
My mechanic has same ute with close to 300,000klms now like mine and still original but he services the auto every 40,000klms.
U are possibly right spitfire they would all benefit from an oil change every year or two.
Realcars exactly, if the oil gets too hot it burns the oil which is why tranny coolers are good to have. The newer transmissions will actually disengage the torque convertor when stopped at the lights to save fuel and also would help lengthen the life of the oil. Its important to change the oil because clutch material will be carried in the oil, pieces of metal will be left behind (why there are magnets in the pan) if driven aggressively and if they get in the torque convertor thats not good. All auto’s need to be serviced and manufacturers tell their customers they’re non serviceable!! And i’m sure you’s can think of many reasons why.
Minnow, your last two sentences says it all. Your sarcasm has been noted.