Alfa Romeo MiTo

Introduction

The concept of the Alfa TCT transmission system develops the objective of previous MTA

(Mechanical Transmission Automatized) versions, i.e. to improve manual mechanical transmission component performance. With this system, the driver does not need to press the clutch pedal or operate the gear shift command but driving pleasure deriving from the possibility of directly controlling the transmission is still guaranteed. Driving safety is also improved by direct control which prevents driver errors and the incorrect control of the transmission system, allowing the driver a more advanced interface with the vehicle.

Fig. 1

Furthermore, and here is the innovation, the TCT provides the same advantages in terms of consumption of an MTA (Fig. 2 - horizontal axis) and the same driving comfort (Fig. 2 - vertical axis) of an automatic gearbox. With respect to a normal gearbox, motion is transmitted from the engine to the gearbox through two clutch plates. This allows to reduce consumption and increase driving comfort.

The system basically consists of a mechanical transmission, with two dry clutch plates and a synchronised manual gearbox managed by an electrohydraulic robot.

Fig. 2

AT – Automatic transmission; ATnew – New-generation automatic transmission

Wet-DCT – Wet dual clutch transmission; MT – Mechanical manual transmission

MTA Selespeed – Robotised transmission; ALFA TCT – Twin clutch dry transmission

- 7 - Alfa TCT