- New-generation Easytronic combines advantages of manual and automatic gearboxes
Rüsselsheim/Istanbul. Individual, with highest shifting comfort and extremely economical – this is the Opel ADAM with Easytronic 3.0. Opel’s lifestyle mini will debut with the newest-generation automated manual transmission at the Istanbul Motor Show from May 22 – 31. Available for the ADAM since the beginning of the year, the main advantage of the 5-speed Easytronic 3.0 is that it combines the comfort of an automatic with the efficiency of a manual gearbox. Due to its compact design, Easytronic 3.0 is also lighter than a conventional automatic transmission.
Opel Easytronic 3.0 is an automated manual gearbox, meaning it is based on a manual transmission with low internal friction that is optimized for smaller engines. In automatic mode, an electro-hydraulic actuator takes over shifting and clutching operations. The transmission electronics automatically select the most fuel-efficient gear for prevailing driving conditions, thus enabling super-economical driving. Hydraulic cylinders and electronic motors, the so-called actuators, provide ideal and fast gear shifts. This is also the case when the driver manually shifts gears in the half-automatic mode by pulling or pushing the gearshift. Combined with Start/Stop technology, the automated manual transmission reduces fuel consumption even more, especially in urban driving. In combination with the 64 kW/87 hp 1.4-liter naturally aspirated engine, Easytronic 3.0 cuts fuel consumption by up to 0.4 liters per 100 kilometers in the combined cycle compared to a five-speed manual transmission. This is equivalent to a reduction of CO2 emissions by 10 grams per kilometer. In this arrangement, the ADAM 1.4 ecoFLEX with Start/Stop consumes 4.7 liters per 100 kilometers and emits 109 grams of CO2 per kilometer, meaning that it makes the leap from German energy efficiency class C to B.
It also features increased driving comfort. The latest generation of Easytronic impresses with reduced reaction times enabling quicker and smoother gear shifts. This optimization was made possible by a new actuator along with improved sensor and control technology and by the completely revamped manual base gearbox. Opel engineers developed a special gearwheel set for the automated transmission. The wide gear ratio spread of the five-gear wheel set reduces engine running speed, for example during highway travel, to a pleasant noise level. Furthermore, Easytronic 3.0 also offers a ‘creep’ mode similar to that of an automatic transmission for slow driving maneuvers.
The combination of the best of two transmission worlds is already available for an affordable extra charge of just 600 euros compared to the purely manual five-speed gearbox (RRP incl. VAT in Germany).
