Changing times for Peugeot/Citroen

Thursday, April 06, 2006

New gearbox has robotically-operated clutch
Could be used in Citroen C5 and Peugeot 307
May be fitted to Peugeot 207 GTi, too

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A new six-speed automatic gearbox is on the way for Peugeot and Citroen cars and brings with it the promise of added performance as well as 'significantly' improved economy.

Parent company PSA will only say it's destined for 'mid-range' petrol and diesel models, with the Citroen C4 and Peugeot 307 likely to be the first candidates.

The transmission will probably be suited to a wider spread of cars, however, from superminis such as the Peugeot 207 up to family cars such as the Citroen C5.

Peugeot hints it could feature on the forthcoming 207 GTI. A new seven-seater MPV from Citroen, which will sit between the current Picasso five-seater and C8 full-size MPV by the end of the year, is another likely candidate.

The new gearbox, dubbed MCP (Mechanisme Controle Pilote, or driver control mechanism), isn't a traditional automatic, but a standard six-speed mechanical transmission with a robotically operated clutch.

Look out for a first drive of the new transmission on whatcar.com soon.