[ChuckB]

Re: (Just Frank)

Quote, originally posted by Just Frank »

I'd have to seriously wonder exactly WHAT benifit a 6 speed auto trans would have over a 5 speed? Possibly slightly better gas mileage when on the freeway? Otherwise I highly doubt that it's any big deal IMO. A V8 R would be a good idea but I havent heard of that yet. There will be a V8 S80 soon however.

The benefit is that the new 6spd GT tranny can take the full power of the 6MT R motor. Instead of the current GT: (1) being limited to 258 ft-lb (down from 295); (2) having further torque reduction to around 235 ft-lb in 1st and 2nd gear; (3) and having rpm limiting to 5800rpm in 3rd gear and above. The last point was a late addition to the limiting of the GT, and Volvo didn't even change the gear ratios to match the new shift points...ever been in an R GT when it does its short shift at WOT from 3rd to 4th? It falls way under the desired powerband in 4th. http://www.tradebotics.com/V70R/MVI_0283.AVI

So I would consider a totally unlimited 6spd GT a huge improvement over the current 5spd box situation. Considering how hard it is to launch the 6MT and the fact that you can wind up the auto with the brake at the start, the irony may be that the R 6GT will be faster off the line than the 6MT.

 

[ChuckB]

Re: (avolvofan)

Quote, originally posted by avolvofan »

My vote is for the turning circle improvement.

That is the target market Volvo had in mind when the built the GT in the first place...

 

[ChuckB]

Re: (avolvofan)

The point was that the limitations imposed by the GT as outlined above were done since Volvo knew they could "get away with it" since people would be more concerned about other aspects of the car...not that the turning circle was the feature -- far from it. They assumed that people who bought the GT wouldn't car that much about performance, and your comment reinforces their opinion.