Korean automaker Kia has gone ahead and launched a truly trailblazing eight-speed gearbox that is the very first contraption released by the company with front-wheel drive vehicles in mind. This particular gearbox is the result of years of research and engineering, and is designed to be located in limited bonnet space but still produce top-notch control and performance.
This eight-speed gearbox is equipped with a smaller oil pump that helps save space without compromising on hydraulic performance, while the clutch benefits from a new valve that makes for smoother and quicker gear changes while also offering boosted fuel efficiency. All of this translates to improved acceleration.
While it's often assumed that engine and horsepower specs are the most important factors in a vehicle, Kia's new eight-speed gearbox shows that intelligent clutch and gear-shift technologies can have as big an impact on speed, acceleration and control of a vehicle.
What's Driving This Trend
- Intelligent Clutch and Gear-shift Technologies
- Opportunity to develop intelligent clutch and gear-shift technologies for improved speed, acceleration, and control of vehicles.
- Compact Gearbox Designs
- Opportunity to create compact gearbox designs that save space without compromising on performance and control.
- Enhanced Fuel Efficiency
- Opportunity to develop new valve technologies that offer smoother and quicker gear changes while also boosting fuel efficiency.
Who This Affects Most
- Automotive
- Opportunity for automotive industry to incorporate intelligent clutch and gear-shift technologies into their vehicle designs.
- Engineering
- Opportunity for engineering industry to innovate and develop compact gearbox designs for various applications.
- Oil and Gas
- Opportunity for oil and gas industry to contribute to the development of oil pump technologies that save space in compact gearboxes.
