New Launches
Show Report: CV Show 2012
What a cracking event the 2012 Commercial Vehicle Show turned out to be, thanks in no small part to Ford… Read More
Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Long-Term Test 1
We has just taken delivery of a Mitsubishi L200 4x4 Club Cab for long-term appraisal… Read More
Ford Transit ECOnetic Brief Test
We’ve been putting a SWB 100hp 2.2TDi Euro 5 Transit 280 ECOnetic through its paces… Read More
Renault Kangoo ZE 2011 European Launch
Renault is at the forefront of manufacturers offering a mass produced factory-built electric van… Read More
Fuso Canter 2011 European Launch
Fuso has completely revamped its range of light and heavy truck Canter chassis and chassis crew cabs… Read More
Iveco Daily 2011 European Launch
Iveco has introduced new, latest generation diesels to its Daily range, along with detail changes inside and out… Read More
Ford Transit 2011 European Launch
Ford takes the iconic Transit to the next stage with an all-new range of 2.2-litre Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Volkswagen Crafter 2011 UK Launch
VW’s large panel van has undergone a serious makeover with changes to the front-end styling and the cab interior, as well as new Euro 5 diesels… Read More
Ford Transit Connect Electric Brief Test
We spent a day with the battery-powered Connect to get a better idea of what it’s like to live with in its natural, urban environment. Read More
Mercedes-Benz Vito E-CELL Brief Test
Currently undergoing trials with selected fleet customers in the UK, we managed to get behind the wheel of a battery-powered Vito E-CELL… Read More
Ducato Comfort-Matic availability extended
Fiat Professional has announced its six-speed automated manual, clutchless Comfort-Matic gearbox option on Ducato now includes the two new 2.3-litre Euro 5 diesel engines. With power outputs of 130hp or 150hp they join the range-topping 180hp 3.0-litre in Ducato’s semi-auto line-up. The transmission is particularly popular in the motorhome market and the availability of the two new options is bound to go down well with convertors, many of which use Ducato as a base vehicle in chassis cowl cab form (see pic below). Engineers paid attention to adapting and customising the gearbox for ‘recreational’ vehicles during development.
Technically, the gearbox is defined as an MTA (Manual Transmission Automated) and consists of a conventional manual ’box on which the manual linkage is replaced by an actuator, controlled electronically by a Transmission Control Unit. It can be used in full automatic or sequential manual modes.
In response to the requirements of motorhomes, which by their nature are generally used under maximum payload conditions, there is a selectable ‘UP’ mode on the gearbox. It automatically optimises the gearshift points to ensure the most appropriate engine revs are used in all circumstances and improve performance in particularly harsh conditions; on a steep incline, for example.
