Ford Fiesta, Puma Hybrid Get New Seven-Speed Automatic Transmission

FoMoCo is introducing a new seven-speed automatic transmission option for its electrified Ford EcoBoost powertrains in the Ford Fiesta and Puma hybrid that will, for the first time, enable drivers who want an automatic gearbox to reduce their CO2 emissions and save money using Ford’s 48-volt mild-hybrid technology.

Available on Fiesta and Puma hybrid models equipped with Ford’s 1.0L EcoBoost engine, the seven-speed automatic can make driving less demanding, particularly in city driving and stop-start traffic. In addition, fast, seamless gearchanges complement the hybrid powertrain’s electrically-boosted performance to further enhance the fun-to-drive experience.

Ford’s EcoBoost Hybrid technology uses a belt-driven integrated starter/generator (BISG) to recover energy usually lost during braking and coasting and charge a 48‑volt lithium-ion battery pack. The BISG also acts as a motor, integrating with the engine to provide torque assistance that can enhance fuel-efficiency or performance, depending on the driving scenario.

Torque supplementation uses the BISG to increase the total torque available from the powertrain by up to 20 Nm (14.75 pound-feet) of torque for more responsive in-gear acceleration. In-gear acceleration for the 125 PS (123 horsepower) Puma hybrid is improved by up to almost 4 percent compared with the non-hybrid variant.

When equipped with the new seven-speed transmission, the 155 PS (153 horsepower) Puma hybrid accelerates from 0-100 kilometers-per-hour (62 miles-per-hour) in 8.7 seconds. In Sport Drive Mode, the Puma holds lower gears for sportier responses. Triple-downshifts enable faster overtaking when drivers request maximum acceleration. The seven-speed automatic gearbox also offers manual gear selection, with sporty paddle-shifters for Puma ST-Line X and ST-Line Vignale models.

Torque substitution uses the BISG to provide up to 24 Nm (17.7 pound-feet) of extra torque, reducing the amount of work required by the engine for improved fuel efficiency. The seven-speed automatic EcoBoost Hybrid combination is particularly well-suited to city driving, where frequent stop-start driving allows regular capturing and re-deployment of energy.

Puma EcoBoost Hybrid and Fiesta EcoBoost Hybrid seven-speed automatic models are expected to improve CO2 emissions by up to more than 5 percent compared with the 1.0L EcoBoost petrol equivalents (WLTP), as the seven-speed automatic transmission can help keep the hybrid engine at the optimum rpm for efficiency.

Pairing the dual-clutch transmission with a hybrid powertrain brings the advantages of both technologies to the customer, as well as increasing the availability of fuel-saving hybrid powertrains to people who want an automatic transmission.

The seven-speed automatic transmission’s dual-clutch architecture delivers seamless acceleration with smooth gear changes. Automatic transmissions can be particularly beneficial for drivers with restricted mobility. Two pedal operation requires fewer driver inputs, particularly in city driving scenarios

The Ford Puma EcoBoost Hybrid and Fiesta EcoBoost Hybrid are two of 17 electrified vehicles Ford is introducing in Europe before the end of this year.

The seven-speed automatic transmission enables additional technology in combination with EcoBoost Hybrid efficiency for the first time, including Stop & Go functionality for Adaptive Cruise control, which can bring the vehicle to a complete halt in stop-start traffic and automatically pull away if the stopping duration is less than 3 seconds.

“Adding the option of our seven-speed automatic transmission for EcoBoost Hybrid is another step in our mission to make electrification accessible to all our customers,”  said Roelant de Waard, general manager, Passenger Vehicles, Ford of Europe.

We’ll have more on the Puma and Fiesta hybrids soon, so be sure and subscribe to Ford Authority for more Ford Puma news, Ford Fiesta news, and non-stop Ford news coverage.