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Hyundai has developed a six-speed automatic transaxle unit for use in transverse engine applications in its cars and SUVs. The group claims to be only the third carmaker in the world, after Toyota and the GM/Ford joint venture, to develop its own unit.

The new transaxle will be used first in the Grandeur/Azura which runs a 3.3-litre V6 engine. In this configuration, Hyundai claims to get a 12.2 per cent increase in fuel efficiency and a 2.5 per cent improvement in 0-100 km/h acceleration.

The six-speed gearbox is 12kg lighter than the five-speed unit it replaces and is 41mm shorter. It also has 62 fewer parts. Some of the shorter length comes from a flat torque converter design that Hyundai says is unique.

Also unique, it says, is the hydraulic pressure control unit which compensates in factory settings for the variations between solenoid valves. Adjustment screws in the valves enable the height of each of the eight valves to be set in the factory, and this gives stable hydraulic pressure at each shift point.

The unit is maintenance free with sealed transmission fluid, and Hyundai is not providing a dipstick for it.

The transaxle units went into production this month and will be fitted to Grandeur/Azura models from January. A total of five variants for gasoline and diesel vehicles will go into 16 different Hyundai models, including the redesigned Santa Fe which is due to launch in late 2009.