Transmission is one area of automotive technology that has seen significant advancements over the years. There are a variety of automatic transmissions that are different in their functionality but that can enhance your driving experience. Hyundai’s latest innovation is the iMT, or intelligent manual transmission, featuring the new 2020 Hyundai i20, Hyundai Venue, and Kia Sonet.
In India, intelligent Manual Transmission has been a cornerstone of research and development in the transmission sector. It is one of the most advanced and efficient transmission systems currently available. Therefore, this article will show how Intelligent Manual Transmission is such a remarkable piece of technology.
A little over two weeks after it announced plans to introduce its Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) for the Venue SUV, Hyundai Motor India today unveiled the unit in the model’s Sport trim.
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This variant is powered by 1.0-litre turbo petrol engines and 1.50-liter diesel ones. The iMT-equipped Venue starts at Rs 999,000 (ex-showroom) for the entry-level SX model and goes up to Rs 11.21 lakh (ex-showroom) for the SX (O) with the new Sport pack.
What does iMT mean?
It can be compared to a hybrid between a manual and automatic transmission. As with a conventional manual gearbox, driving involves shifting gears by the driver, but iMT eliminates the clutch pedal by essentially automating it.
According to Hyundai, the gear lever has an ‘intention sensor’ that informs the transmission control unit (TCU) when the driver changes gears. The TCU signals a hydraulic actuator to engage and disengage the clutch plate as the driver shifts gears.
The Advantages of using an iMT
The iMT certainly alleviates clutch operations, especially in bumper-to-bumper traffic in the city, thus ensuring that your drive is comfortable and hassle-free.
Even though the iMT does away with the clutch paddle, it still allows the driver to shift gears at will, which is a major advantage for people who love an engaging drive. As a result, AMT vehicles do not experience the loss of power that is often experienced during software gear shifts.
Additionally, Hyundai claims that the iMT doesn’t “compromise on fuel efficiency and performance” because it uses a conventional manual transmission.
The all-new Hyundai Venue iMT does not have a clutch pedal, so you will need to learn how to shift the gear lever manually the first time you drive the vehicle. Over time, this technology will, however, prove to be a blessing that will allow for the convenience of an automatic transmission while offering the control of a manual. Therefore, Hyundai’s iMT transmission truly offers the best of both worlds.
iMT’s Future in India
Since the Hyundai Venue already has an iMT transmission, the future for this clutchless automatic transmission looks bright and promising. iMT is also available for the newly launched Kia Sonet. Since the first Toyota Fortuner was equipped with iMT in 2016, the tech has evolved considerably.
Here’s everything you need to know about the iMT versions of the Kia Sonat and the Hyundai Venue:
| Vehicle | Engine | Transmission | Price (ex-showroom) |
| Hyundai Venue | 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine | 6-speed iMT | SX iMT (₹10 lakhs)Sports iMT (₹10.25 lakhs)SX(O) iMT (₹11.14 lakhs) |
| Kia Sonnet | 1.0-litre turbo-petrol engine | 6-speed iMT | HTK Plus Turbo iMT (₹4.49 lakhs)HTX Turbo iMT (₹9.99 lakhs)HTX Plus Turbo (₹11.65 lakhs)GTX Plus Turbo (11.99 lakhs) |
Hyundai beats Kia in India’s iMT race
Even though this is not the first instance of an iMT in the world, nor even the first in India, it is a first in this industry segment. This technology will be introduced as part of Kia’s Sonet compact SUV, which will make its world debut on August 7, 2020. Hyundai, however, has beaten its sister brand to the market today with the launch of the Venue iMT.
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Frequently Asked Question (FAQ)
Can the iMT match the thrill of a manual transmission?
As already explained, the driver is only permitted to shift gears when they choose to do so. Due to this, an iMT system delivers the thrill of driving, compared to AMTs, where software determines gearshifts. Gearshifts are manual and can be done as and when needed, unlike AMTs. Hyundai’s combination of this transmission with its turbo petrol adds to the fun factor associated with iMT transmissions.
Is it possible to stall an iMT-enabled vehicle?
A vehicle with iMT can’t stall. After an iMT vehicle comes to a halt in first gear, the intelligent sensors automatically disengage the drive and depress the clutch for you.
Is it possible to start the car with iMT in a higher gear?
If you are at a standstill in a car equipped with iMT, the clutch doesn’t engage. On-board systems will prompt the driver to shift down to the next gear in such cases. While parked, the driver must engage the first or second gear to move the vehicle.
How reliable are iMT gearboxes?
Regarding reliability and long-term durability, iMT vehicles use the same components as regular manual setups, with the only difference being the addition of an actuator that operates the clutch. As a result, clutch life might be 10 or 15 percent shorter than a regular one, but that’s a reasonable difference compared to the increased comfort.
Is the iMT gearbox equipped with a hill-hold system?
The iMT gearbox does come with hill hold technology that prevents the car from rolling back when you are standing still on a steep slope. Handbrakes are rarely required as the brakes are applied by sensors that detect incline angles.
Is the iMT worth purchasing?
IMT cars are ideal for new drivers, who will appreciate how easy it is to drive one. In contrast, experienced drivers can benefit from the enhanced control of an automatic transmission.
