A pioneering 10-speed fully automatic transmission that incorporates Allison's torque converter and twin countershaft design is promising optimised acceleration and higher fuel economy across a range of tractor unit duty cycles.
Launched at the 2011 Mid-America Trucking Show, in Louisville, Kentucky, it is destined for availability, initially in North America, in late 2012.
Lou Gilbert, Allison Transmission's director of North American market development, says it has been designed to maximise productivity and fuel efficiency during cruising and stop-start operation.
This is the first power-shifting, twin countershaft design for commercial vehicles, incorporating Allison's torque converter to deliver uninterrupted power to the wheels, he explains.
Coupled with the smooth shifting and ease of operation that go with a fully-automatic box, this new technology provides OEMs and operators with a competitive and fuel efficient alternative to automated manuals.
"Initial in-vehicle tests have shown worthwhile gains in fuel economy, and we achieved increases in vehicle miles-per-workday," states Gilbert.
"Our testing has also shown this new transmission offers better fuel economy than an automated manual in the targeted duty cycle markets for which it was developed," he adds.
The new transmission will also incorporate Allison's existing intelligent features, including load based shift schedules (LBSS) and reduced engine load at stop (RELS).
