Maruti Suzuki has today unveiled its Celerio hatchback with Automatic Manual Transmission (AMT). This new transmission developed by the Suzuki engineers features clutchless drive, and the gearbox is paired with an Intelligent Shift Control Actuator that allows it to automatically operate clutch and shift functioning. The Auto Gear Shift operates through an electric hydraulic actuator that controls as well as allows the transmission to cope up with the working components. This new AMT gearbox has advantages of both automatic and manual transmission and the gear-shuffling is shortened compared to conventional Automatic Transmissions.
This transmission boosts two modes - the fully automatic one, and another one is automatic manual. This transmission makes the Celerio 5 percent more fuel efficient car as copared to the siblings with manual transmission. Added to this, the optimal gearshift handled by the computer allows it to deliver better fuel efficiency. Moreover, it helps in hassle-free driving in traffic conditions as the clutch pedal and gearshift operating doesn’t require driver’s supervision. Another great advantage of the AMT is that it allows the driver to enjoy the thrill of manual transmission while operated at the AT mode.
The AMT gearbox has the following signs i.e. ‘N’ for Neutral positioning, ‘D’ for Drive mode, ‘R’ for Reverse and ‘M’ for Manual mode operating. While shuffling the gears on the manual mode, the gear-shift knob is shuffled to “+” to upshift and it is shuffled down to “-” to downshift.
To switch on, you have to keep the car on neutral state and press the brake pedal. The engine would not start if it is not on neutral mode and the brake pedal is not pressed. Drive mode is operated when the brake pedal is pressed by the user and gear lever is shuffled to ‘D’ positioning. To get the car in motion just release the brake, however the speed of car could be decreased or increased with the press or release of the accelerator pedal.
While driving in “D” mode the gear is automatically chosen by the efficient Auto Gear Shift System as per the vehicle speed and acceleration operation. High end gear is attained with the increase in speed and vice-versa. It is advisable to press the accelerator smoothly in order to attain better fuel efficiency as instant accelerations takes the engine to higher RPM levels that results in low fuel efficiency.
To run vehicle on the manual mode the user has to position the gear lever to ‘M’ mode. Gear shuffling towards ‘+’ changes the gear towards high gears, while shuffling the gear towards ‘-’ takes it to low gears.
Gears shift goes down automatically when the brake paddle is pressed and when the car is stopped the gearshifts come to Neutral ‘N’ mode. The gear positioning is displayed as ‘Neutral’ at the instrument cluster when car is on rest.
Source : CarDekho - Ever tried Automatic Manual Transmission? Here's how you do it!
