Kia has revealed all the juicy details
about its innovative new clutch-by-wire manual transmission to be used by a
range of mild-hybrid models, starting with the recently announced 2021 Rio
EcoDynamics+. The South Korean automaker’s new manual gearbox doesn’t use a
mechanical linkage, with the clutch operated purely electronically and
integrated with a 48V powertrain.
This means the intelligent Manual
Transmission (iMT) works with the mild-hybrid starter-generator to switch off
the engine earlier than Kia’s Idle Stop& Go start-stop system. As a result,
it improves overall fuel efficiency and reduce CO2 emissions by around 3 per
cent in real-world driving conditions.
The gearbox is particularly helpful when
coasting. As the driver leaves the car in-gear while coasting, the iMT sends an
electronic signal to the gearbox to seamlessly switch off the engine and open
the clutch. As the engine is switched off, the car continues to coast and the
open clutch limits deceleration.
When the driver pushes the accelerator or
engages the clutch to change gear, the system restarts the engine in the
driver’s selected gear. Electric power provided by the mild-hybrid starter
generator and 48V battery instantly brings the engine and transmission up to
the correct speed. The development of the transmission was completed at the
Hyundai Motor Europe Technical Center in Offenbach, Germany.
