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Renault has has launched a semi-auto gearbox which will be good news for hard pressed delivery drivers.
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Emma Penny reports.
Whod work as a courier or delivering parcels? Chaotic stop-start traffic crawling through city centres and plenty of unexpected roadworks means it's a job that's hard on patience and the drivers' left leg. Work a clutch for a whole day on urban delivery work, and your joints will know all about it.
Cue Renault's Cluickshift6, which is now available in the Trafic and Master vans. It's not an automatic—the lower option cost of £800 reflects that — but an automated six-speed transmission which can be used either in manual or semi-automatic mode. It's also far lighter than a full-auto; the module which allows it to become a semi-automatic adds only 8kg, rather than the additional 100kg of an auto box.
Ouickshift6 is available for the 2.5dCi engines in 100,120 and 140hp versions.
The new transmission was developed from Renault's six-speed manual gearbox, combined with a computer and transducers which automate the clutching, declutching and gearchanging operations. It controls gear shifting and is connected to the gear lever, driving mode selector, brake pedal switch and engine management computer. It also takes account of factors such as gradient and driving style.
A second computer controls engine torque and speed to ensure smooth gearchanging.
In practice, this means there's no clutch pedal, and the usual manual gearshift is replaced with a joystick. Put yourfoot on the brake pedal and simply push the gearstick forward to select first. Automatic is the default setting.
Once the dashboard read-out says the vehicle is in first (which is just about instant) lift your foot off the brake and it will start to creep forward. This will happen whenever your foot isn't firmly on the brake or it's in neutral, which makes it useful for town driving. It also means that it won't stall.
When starting from rest the driver can choose two other functions: one for fully laden vehicles, which will reduce clutch slip and alters the gearchange threshold points; and snow mode which automatically activates auto mode and limits wheel spin when taking off.
In auto, gearchanges are made according to speed, acceleration or deceleration, load, any gradient and the driver's individual style. We found that individual driverstyie did have a pad to play—if you drove with your foot hard to the boards it changed at higher revs than if you piloted it with a lightertouch. And there's no need to take yourfoot off the accelerator when changing gear, but if you want more go—for overtaking, for instance — press the accelerator down hard and it will kick down to give you more oomph.
Switch to manual by nudging the gearstick to the left and you can simply push it up to gaup the box, and down to go back though the gears. But this is a clever system. Drivers who want to override the system and drive everywhere at maximum revs simply can't do it. The gearbox won't allow you to change from fifth to second if you are going too fast for second, for instance. But it isn't the same going up through the box—reach the rev limit for each gear and it will stay there.
Going up and down through the gears is easy, and so is finding reverse. Put your foot on the brake pedal, nudge the gearstick to neutral (to the right) and pull back, just like a conventional vehicle. Once it's in reverse you'll hear a bleep and, as with first gear, lift your foot off the brake and it will start to creep back.
Engine braking is still possible with this setup; this is a good example of where the driver should take control.
As well as providing an easier ride for drivers, Renault claims Trafic vans fitted with Quickshift6 will be up to 10% more fuel efficient than the equivalent model with a conventional manual box, while the Masler will be up torn less thirsty. This, the manufacturer explains, is because the system ensures the engine runs at its optimum at all times with no more botched gearchanges or over-revving.
Vauxhall —which shares Renault's technology in its Vivaro and Moven° models —will also be offering this set-up, branded the TechShift; expect Nissan (the third partner in the trio) to follow suit within the next few months.
Other manufacturers already offer similar systems: Mercedes has the SprintShift, while Ford buyets can opt for OuraShift. •