The new C635 gearbox could make it on the Abarth powered models including the Punto, Avventura and possibly the Linea T-Jet as well in the future.
If sources are to be believed, Fiat India is testing the new and advanced C635 gearbox in the country that could go on to replace the outgoing and sluggish C549 unit on the automaker’s current lot of vehicles. While the timeline for availability of the new gearbox is not clear as yet, it is stated that the test runs have commenced and will certainly be a welcome addition on the newly launched Abarth range offering quicker shifts, helping clock faster times.
The C635 Dual Dry Clutch Auto Transmission (DDCT) has been co-developed by Fiat, Magneti Marelli and BorgWarner and is currently produced at the Verrone plant in Italy. Compared to the C549 gearbox, the C635 is an advanced unit and can handle torque inputs up to 350 Nm, making it the highest-torque dry clutch application unit. It is also one of the lightest available weighing just 81 kgs with complete fluids.
The C635 transmission has been designed to be as short and compact as possible allowing it to fit on multiple platforms and different vehicle body styles ranging from B-segment hatchbacks to D-segment sedans. The unit is already equipped on a host of models in FCA’s lineup including the Alfa Romeo MiTo, 4C and Guiletta; Dodge Dart as well as the Fiat 500L, 500X and Viaggio models. Internationally, the Punto also gets the C635 and there’s a good chance the Indian spec model could get upgraded as well.
The current C549 gearbox has a rubber shift issue that makes the gearbox extremely slow in comparison and turns out to be a let down on the otherwise driver centric package. The C635 DDCT on the other hand, will do more justice to the T-Jet engines on the Abarth models including the Punto, Avventura and possibly the Linea T-Jet as well while also opening room for the automaker to introduce larger capacity engines in the country. More details on Fiat’s plans to introduce the gearbox should be available in the following months.
Source – Team Fiat Moto Club on Facebook
