FF transmissions

I was watching Top Gear (first time for absolutely ages) and they explained the FF double transmission concept.

I'm sure there is a thread on this some where ... but personally what a crazy idea. Ferrari IMO should have returned the gearbox to the middle of the car, run a driveshaft up beside the engine so the engine height would not be affected and just had a diff at the front.

Instead they have a transaxle and a little gearbox running off the front of the engine. What is going to happen when the gearboxes end up in different gears? ... and this could happen one day after an electrical failure!

Talk about failing the KISS principle Ferrari.
Pete

 

So yes, this car is all about faith in modern tech, not about resting on the laurels of retro mechanical compromises, and is dependent on the abilities of modern design, metallurgy, and computer programming. Ferrari has waited long enough to do this (the first F1 tranny was introduced in what 1995?) and the end result is astonishing. It is what I love about Ferrari: going a quite different way from the pack with the potential for some problems for a few, but benefit for the marque and most of us.

Not what you personally want in a Ferrari, I realize and that's fine, but for me, it kicks a$$ and works as intended. It IS pure Ferrari at its best!!!

I applaud Ferrari for having the ball$ to introduce such a "crazy" idea in a car that I can and will use as they might have hoped. It fits me to a T and pleases me no end.

 

The front gearbox is not matched gear per gear anyways as it's only 2 speeds (relying on slippage to control torque split) and is not used above 4th gear.

Pretty good summary here:

http://blog.caranddriver.com/funky-four-explaining-the-ferrari-ffs-two-gearbox-four-wheel-drive-system/

 

Okay that removes my concern then!

Still a weird solution, but after reading the article pretty clever I guess .
Pete
ps: Man I'm glad I'm not a mechanic that has to work on these things

 

Nothing is truly perfect. They have addressed the traditional issues associated with AWD systems and introduced a system that I think functions extremely well for its intended purpose. For doing serious off roading I would want a more traditional 4WD system.

 

Maybe it's just me, but if I was paying close to $400k for a car like this, I would absolutely want something new, technologically innovative and different. From every review that I've read, there is absolutely no indication that the front wheels are ever driven, which is probably the highest compliment you can pay to the designers. Plus, above 2nd gear, the front wheels are not driven at all, so from a performance standpoint, you get all of the benefits of all wheel drive (low speed traction, significantly better launch) without any of the high-performance understeer typically associated with all wheel drive technology. It's a win-win and they should be applauded for it. Something tells me we will be seeing similar systems from other manufacturers in the very near future.

 

The FF's transmission is tremendous! As is the rest of the car, for that matter.

 

totally agreed. it's a truly clever engineering solution with no downside. that's why i love it.
and that's also why im dissapointed that its not on the f12

 

OK I get how it works. But can someone explain why continuously slipping clutches (mostly in 1st and 3rd gears) would not be a maintenance headache? Since one probably doesn't spend much time in 1st gear, it would seem that 3rd gear running would be the source of problems.

 

It uses wet clutches which don't suffer the same wear issues as traditional dry clutches (they are in common use in heavy vehicle applications transmitting massive torque loads so well understood).

 

Thanks for the info.