15 June 2001: Ford of Ireland is introducing Formula 1-style gear-change technology to the Ford Transit range with the new Durashift EST automated transmission. As well as an automatic mode that delivers the fuel economy and performance of a manual box, the system provides push-button manual gear changing at the driver’s fingertips.

Research shows van users can change gear over 1,000 times per day.

Durashift EST is based on a conventional five-speed manual gearbox, but requires neither gear lever nor clutch pedal. Instead, the driver can change gear manually by operating ‘up’ and ‘down’ selector buttons on the steering wheel, or can simply put the vehicle into fully automatic mode. Additionally, there is a choice of three different auto shift patterns: ‘economy’, to optimise fuel consumption; ‘winter’, to minimise wheel-spin on slippery surfaces; and ‘full load’ for use when heavily laden, towing or on steep hills.

Durashift EST is available as a £1,000 option on rear-wheel drive Transits powered by the 90PS 2.4-litre Duratorq DI turbo diesel engine.

By making its gearshifts at optimum points in automatic mode, the Durashift EST system can deliver up to 20 per cent better fuel economy than a conventional automatic gearbox with torque converter. It can even improve fuel consumption in manual mode by up to five per cent, compared with equivalent conventional manual transmission Transit models (depending on driving style).

The electronic clutch control reduces the potential for driver abuse - such as slipping the clutch - thereby enhancing vehicle durability. In addition, the

Durashift EST is lighter, more compact, less costly and easier to service than a conventional automatic transmission. FC/BB