Just finished reading the ENTIRE 33 page business plan that Ford pitched to Congress. Page 14 of the link below specifically states that 6-speed transmissions will be in 100% of Ford/Lincoln/Mercury products by 2012.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/downlo...2/18186536.pdf

Kinda makes me wish they could have accelerated the introduction of the 6-speed for the recent/current models.

Just thought it was interesting.

 

I hope they mean 6 speed manual transmissions.



But I highly doubt it.

 

Ppphhht, I WISH!!! My left foot is so bored it is ready to secede from my leg.

Seriously though, as a former Ford employee I know that they were not planning a 6-speed manual (at least when I was there almost 3 years ago) for the 5.4 triton. As I understand the biggest problem was torque carrying capacity. But this completely baffles me since larger engines get a manual in the F-250 and up.

 

It's not that... it's just they don't want to mess with it. It's not that it can't be made or anything... they are just too lazy to try something new.

My buddy has a Nissan Frontier NISMO with the 6 speed manual... and man, it's awesome! I was with him the day we tried a Frontier with the 5 speed (I think, or else it was a 6 speed auto) auto, and it was horrible in the acceleration department. Here's the awesome part... the 6 speed manual had a HIGHER towing rating that the automatic that is offered. Figure that one out...

I'd love to trade my F150 in for a nice 4x4 Frontier with the 4.0 DOHC v6 with the 6 speed. That thing rules the road.

I've never driven a F250 with the ZF6 though... but I'm sure it's good.

 

It's not laziness, it's simply dollars and cents.

 

I know we're a Ford site, but it's worth reading what each of the Detroit 3 are planning. You can download or just read all 3 plans here.

http://www.clickondetroit.com/

 

I wouldn't hold my breath there. Its not really an option worth offering in many of the vehicles anyways. Outside of Mustangs and Superduty pickups a manual tranny doesn't really have much point.