Hyundai reveals clutch-less manual transmission, will debut in 2020 Venue this month

Hyundai’s new intelligent manual transmission (iMT) offers the best of both worlds. While a two-pedal setup results in improved convenience, the driver still has to shift the gears manually.  

Hyundai has just revealed that the Venue will feature the new intelligent manual transmission technology (iMT). In common parlance, the new Venue will feature a manual transmission with a two-pedal setup. The Venue will feature a Transmission Gear Shift (TGS) lever which works in union with an Intention Sensor, a Hydraulic Actuator, and a Transmission Control Unit (TCU), to shift gears. Based on the driver’s inputs on the TGS, the TCU sends a signal to a Hydraulic Actuator to build pressure to employ the clutch as the driver toggles through the gear. This new system allows driver’s the best of both worlds – the convenience of an automatic and the engagement of a manual transmission. Hyundai will introduce this new technology in the upcoming 2020 Venue that is scheduled to be launched later this month. While this is the first time clutch-less tech on a manual transmission has been introduced in a car, we have previously seen it on the TVS Jive.

Speaking about the new technology, SS Kim, MD & CEO, Hyundai Motor India Ltd., said, 'Hyundai has been driving the adoption of new and innovative technologies at scale. With our ‘Future Ready’ business strategy, we have been continuously striving for customer delight with Human-centric technologies that present our innate understanding of what our customers' desire. iMT is one such technology that accounts for the pleasure of driving and also the convenience needed to ease the hectic burden of daily commutes. This unparalleled drive experience on Hyundai Venue – India’s First Connected SUV has been curated through a constant pursuit of innovation for Customer Delight.'

The iMT tech will only be available with the 1.0-litre turbo petrol-powered Venue. The company SUV will also continue with the 6-speed manual and the 7-speed DCT options. The Venue with the iMT technology is likely to be position just below the DCT and will compete against the AMT versions of the Maruti Suzuki Vitara Brezza, Tata Nexon, and the Mahindra XUV300.

Aside from the Venue, this new tech is also likely to feature in the upcoming Kia Sonet that will make its debut around the festive season.

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