Kia introduces a new intelligent manual transmission without mechanical coupling

Kia revealed more details , which the carmaker designed for a number of Kia models with mild-hybrid electrified drive (MHEV). This is the world’s first demonstration of the connection of a 48V mild-hybrid drive system with a clutch-by-wire coupling.

The technology was developed by the carmaker to further reduce fuel consumption and CO2 emissions of Kia’s mild-hybrid (MHEV) models, while maintaining the joy behind the wheel associated with operating a conventional manual transmission.

Through iMT, Kia confirms its leading role in the development of a comprehensive range of electrified drives for those interested in vehicles in the widest possible price range. The iMT coupling works purely on an electronic basis instead of a mechanical connection and works quite smoothly with the 48V MHEV drive.

The iMT, in conjunction with the mild-hybrid starter / generator (MHSG), switches off the internal combustion engine before the Kia start-stop system (Idle Stop & Go) when idling before stopping.

Also allows short-term idling with the engine switched off at speeds of up to 125 km / h, followed by a smooth restart of the engine when the driver depresses the accelerator or clutch pedal. The system can improve total fuel consumption and CO2 emissions by approximately 3% under real driving conditions.

The selected gear remains engaged even when the engine is switched off. As soon as the driver depresses the brake or accelerator pedal, the engine restarts with the same gear engaged as before deactivation, here using the power boost provided by the MHSG.

If the driver depresses the clutch pedal due to shifting, resp. if the vehicle travels too slowly with respect to the gear engaged, the transmission will restart the engine at idle (with the clutch disengaged).

How it works – step by step

When the vehicle starts to idle, the driver leaves the gear engaged while slowly decelerating (eg before a turn, intersection or traffic light).

The gear is still engaged and the iMT sends an electronic signal to the MHSG gearbox and drive to smoothly turn off the engine and disengage the clutch.

The vehicle with the engine switched off is still idling with the clutch disengaged so that the deceleration is not too intense and the kinetic energy of the vehicle is used to the maximum.

If the driver depresses the accelerator pedal in order to accelerate again, resp. if the clutch pedal is depressed due to shifting, the MHSG restarts the engine with the selected gear or neutral (with the clutch disengaged).

Thanks to the electric boost of the MHSG system and 48V batteries, the correct speed of the internal combustion engine and gearbox is immediately ensured.
If the vehicle speed drops below a certain limit, the engine restarts with the power boost of the MHEV system and at the same time the clutch is engaged so that the engine does not strain unnecessarily with the gear engaged.

The development of Kia’s new iMT gearbox took place at the brand’s Technical Center in Offenbach, Germany, under the supervision of Dr Michael Winkler, Director of Drivetrain. Dr Winkler comments:

“We are constantly looking for new ways to increase the economy and capabilities of the powertrains, and one such innovation is iMT. The automatic or dual-clutch transmission suits many drivers, but especially European motorists still like to shift themselves. In addition to the growing demand for electrified models, iMT is the result of a search for electrification methods for the ‘classic’ manual transmission. ”

Dr. Winkler continues: “Electrification is a topic that runs across our entire European powertrain development division, and our work includes the development of 48V mild-hybrid drives through the new iMT ‘clutch-by-wire’ gearbox as complementary technology. We want to continue to provide drivers with the familiar manual gearshift, which is more engaging, so this is the ideal solution for the new range of MHEV powertrains that we will be launching across Europe in the coming months. ”

Experienced control method as with a classic manual transmission

Although the iMT introduces a new purely electronic ‘clutch-by-wire’ technology instead of a mechanical link between the driver and the gearbox, the same way of control and connection is maintained as with the classic manual device.

The new system does not take the driver’s pleasure behind the wheel associated with the use of a manual transmission. The clutch pedal is operated in the same way as with a classic manual device, in addition with better controllability thanks to the electromechanical way of checking the clutch and a ‘point of engagement’ in favor of a completely smooth shift.

iMT replaces the mechanical link between the driver and the transmission via clutch-by-wire technology. As a result, a smaller clutch fluid reservoir can be used, as the transmission control unit (TCU) provides a signal to change gears.
foto: Kia

The iMT is the first time appears in two model series with MHEV drive and the latest ‘Smartstream’ motors. The first is the Ceed family of models, specifically the XCeed model already sold in the Czech Republic in the new ‘EcoDynamics +’ version with a 1.6-liter CRDi diesel engine and a mild-hybrid system.

Other body variants of the Ceed model line (HB and Sporstwagon) will follow at the turn of the year. The iMT transmission will also be fitted to the modernized Kia Rio EcoDynamics + model, which is scheduled to be launched in the Czech Republic in the third quarter of 2020 with a new 1.0-liter T-GDi petrol engine and mild-hybrid system.

The new transmission will also be used in a number of future Kia models; By the end of 2020, Kia plans to introduce a number of new MHEV engines and systems.

Press Release

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