Ford Motor Co. says its new six-speed automatic transmission for the 2011 Super Duty pickup truck will provide “significant” performance and fuel economy improvements over the current model, which is equipped with a five-speed automatic. The redesigned truck bows next spring.

The transmission can be mated to either of the truck’s engines: a 6.2-liter V-8 or Ford’s new 6.7-liter Powerstroke V-8 diesel. Ford hasn’t released performance numbers for the engines, but it says their output will be significantly higher than the 5.4-liter V-8 (300 hp/365 lb-ft of torque), 6.8-liter V-10 (362 hp/457 lb-ft) and 6.4-liter diesel V-8 (350 hp/650 lb-ft) they replace.

Ford says the new six-speed is designed to handle the increased torque produced by the new diesel engine and the higher rpm of the new gasoline engine with SelectShift capability that allows drivers to shift gears manually. The combination will yield class-leading fuel economy and best-in-class towing and payload, according to the company.

To accommodate the diesel/gasoline power extremes, Ford adapted a Lepelletier-style design for heavy-duty use. Although the system has been used in various rear-wheel-drive applications, it typically hasn’t been used with larger diesel engines. The architecture is relatively simple, reducing the complexity in connecting the gearsets and clutches. Only five clutches are needed, and the speeds of the clutches relative to one another are low, which Ford says increases efficiency.

To handle higher torque loads, Ford strengthened the transmission by employing a powder-metal carrier in the compound Ravigneaux planetary gearset. The carrier consists of four pressed powder-metal components sinter-brazed together. A patented rocker one-way clutch is integrated with the carrier and helps improve 1-2 shift quality through the gearset.

A deep first gear ratio improves off-the-line performance, and two overdrive gears create a wider ratio span that reduces engine speed on the highway, thereby reducing noise and improving fuel economy. A control system selects the most efficient shift schedule.

With progressive range select, a toggle on the shift lever allows a driver to reduce the range of available gears while the vehicle is in Drive, limiting the use of higher gears when the truck is heavily loaded or towing on grades.

In diesel models, the new transmission also is available with a segment-exclusive power take-off (PTO) system. The PTO output gear is linked through the torque converter to the engine crankshaft. This allows the transmission to power auxiliary equipment such as snowplows, aerial lifts, cement mixers, tow truck lifts or dump boxes.

Kia Motors Corp. is considering a production version of the two-year-old Kee concept coupe, design director Peter Schreyer tells Autocar. Even if the plan is approved, however, it will be at least five years before such a vehicle hits the streets, he adds.

The rear-drive sports car likely would share a platform with parent Hyundai Motor Co.’s Genesis coupe and be powered by a range of four-cylinder engines. The model would compete against Mazda’s MX-5 Miata and the upcoming Toyota FT-86.

At next month’s North American International Auto Show in Detroit, Daimler AG will unveil a new concept vehicle that gives a good indication of the company’s future design direction. Design chief Gordon Wagener tells Autocar the goal is to move away from Mercedes-Benz’s often staid styling. He describe the concept as a pure design study model without any production intentions for the vehicle itself.

Autocar says Mercedes is trying to decide what design to use for its next-generation of small engines, which are expected to displace between 1.4 and 1.6 liters. One possibility is to partner with another OEM that already makes conventional four-cylinder engine, upgrading the powerplants with its own direct-injection and turbocharging systems.

Mercedes also is considering using a three-cylinder engine, following the lead of BMW AG, which will introduce a three-pot in its next-generation 3 Series. But Autocar notes that three-cylinder engines typically require extra sound deadening, more sophisticated engine mounts and selective stiffening in the body shell, all of which would add costs and complexity.

Mercedes plans to use the new engines in the next-generation A/B-class replacements, which are due in 2011, and in some of its larger vehicles. Daimler CEO Dieter Zetsche tells Bloomberg News the company hopes to decide by the middle of 2010 whether to partner with someone on engines and other components for its A- and B-Class cars and its Smart vehicles. Previous reports suggested Renault SA as a possible candidate for such a venture.

To get into the Christmas spirit, CAR commissioned five automotive designers to sketch out their interpretation of Santa’s sleigh. The magazine will publish one every day this week on its Web site.

The first submission comes from Jaguar exterior designer Thomas Smith. The 25-year-old graduated from the Royal College of Art in June and joined Jaguar this summer in the company’s advanced design studio.

Santa’s other four design helpers haven’t been named yet. In last year’s inaugural drawing, designers from Bentley, Rolls-Royce, Ford and Nissan contributed sketches.

China’s Beijing Automotive Industry Holding Co. has reached a preliminary agreement with General Motors Co. to acquire certain assets of GM’s Saab Automobile unit, including powertrain technologies and production equipment related to the Swedish brand’s current 9-3 and 9-5 cars-but not the next-generation models under development. In addition, Saab will help BAIC integrate the Swedish technology into future BAIC vehicles.

The exact powertrains covered in the deal have not been publicly identified. In the U.S., the current compact 9-3-available in sedan, wagon and convertible trim-offers a choice of a 2.0-liter turbocharged I-4 and 2.8-liter turbocharged V-6 mated to five- and six-speed manuals or a six-speed automatic. The midsize 9-5, which comes in sedan and wagon configurations, comes with a turbocharged 2.3-liter I-4 with a five-speed manual or automatic.

The tech deal will help BAIC develop its own brand. The state-owned company currently makes cars in China for joint venture partners Daimler AG and Hyundai Motor Co. BAIC says it is still talking with Saab about further cooperation, but the company reportedly isn’t interested in buying Saab’s headquarters or Trollhattan assembly plant. It also may not want to buy rights to the Saab brand.

Meanwhile, GM continues to look for a buyer for Saab’s remaining assets. GM reopened negotiations to sell the unit last month after a deal with Sweden’s Koenigsegg Group AB abruptly collapsed. BAIC had planned to acquire a stake in Koenigsegg in conjunction with that sale, primarily to gain access to Saab’s technology. It also offered to help Saab sell vehicles in China.

At this point, the leading candidate for Saab appears to be the Netherland’s Spyker Cars NV. Bloomberg News says officials for the supercar builder met with GM in Zurich over the weekend and are moving closer to a deal, which would team Spyker with Russia’s RMC Convers Group. The latter is owned by Spyker Chairman Vladimir Antonov, a billionaire banking mogul.

Analysts point out that GM could still decide to liquidate Saab if a deal cannot be struck quickly. Last week the company said it would determine which option by year-end.

General Motors Co. has begun offering WiFi capability for laptop commuters and other Web-enabled mobile devices in seven Chevrolet trucks, including the Avalanche, Equinox, Express, Silverado, Suburban, Tahoe and Traverse. With a special promotion through the end of the year, the dealer-installed option is available for about $200, approximately half the usual price, plus installation and a $29 per month fee for Internet service.

The mobile router used in the system will be supplied by Autonet Mobile Inc., which began providing a similar system to Cadillac earlier this year. Chrysler Group LLC’s Uconnect Web platform also offers an Autonet system.

For the Chevy applications, the system connects to the Web via a 3G network. The unit creates an Internet hotspot within the cab and a 150-ft radius around the vehicle. The 1.5 mbps data speed can handle streaming video. TRU Technology is used to maintain Internet connections while the vehicle is in motion.

In addition to providing personal Web surfing on the go, Chevy expects the system to appeal to professionals who need to access the Web at job sites and other locations away from the office. Additional docking stations are available, which enable owners to move the Autonet router from vehicle to vehicle.