Comfort-Matic, the essence of comfortable driving.
The spirit and accuracy of a manual gearbox + The comfort and driving ease of an automatic transmission.
Starting from spring 2012, the Comfort-Matic gearbox will also be available with the 130 MultiJet and 150 MultiJet engines.
The same sturdy and reliable mechanics, already familiar on the 180 MultiJet engine, is able to operate at its optimum even with the lower displacement 130 and 150 hp engines, thanks to a specific management control unit.
Relaxing, cost-effective driving
Comfort-Matic is a robotised mechanical gearbox: it has a clutch but opening/closing is managed by an electronic control unit and is operated by electronic actuators. The left foot is not used - Comfort-Matic.
In contrast to traditional automatic transmissions (with hydraulic torque converter), the Comfort-Matic retains the 6-gear mechanics of a conventional manual gearbox, maintaining the same performance.
In reality electronic gear change management gives a slight reduction in consumption!.
- In "AUTO" mode driving is as relaxing and cost- effective as ever.
- The UP button is designed specifically for motorhomes: it optimises gearshifts on steep up and downhill gradients and when travelling at full load.
Comfort-Matic, special functions
The gearbox can work in two modes:
- All automatic, with gear changes decided autonomously by the control unit.
- Manual, and the driver can change gears sequentially by tapping on the gear lever.
Comfort-Matic has all the following special functions in automatic mode:
- Cold engine. Changes are controlled during cold starts to keep emissions down.
- Brake Assistance. The system changes down when the brakes are applied suddenly to help with slowing down and stopping.
- Kick Down. The systems changes down when the accelerator is suddenly fully pressed to guarantee more pick up.
- Fast Off. The system does not change up if the accelerator is released suddenly to provide engine braking.