Automatic Transmission for TD2000
Just a couple of decades ago, putting an automatic transmission in a sportscar would have been sacrilege; enthusiasts would have been disgusted to see a sporty machine fitted with a gearbox that shifted by itself. The only exception was for cars like the Mercedes SL, bought by the rich and beautiful crowd who would cruise along the streets of Monte Carlo. Such owners wanted the ease and convenience of an autobox and cared little about any effects on performance.
However, times have certainly changed and many of today’s sportscars have automatic transmission as a very obvious option. Even the red-hot Mitsubishi Lancer Evo 7 now has an automatic transmission!
Nevertheless, the presence of an automatic transmission in a classic sportscar is also something rather unique as back in the days when the car was actually in production, such a transmission was rare. But the TD2000 is not your typical classic sportscar either as it is clone which blends the original design and engineering concepts of the MG TD with modern engineering and components, giving owners the nostalgia without the maintenance hassles.
As such, TD Cars Malaysia also feels that while the car itself should remain faithful to the original design, some aspects can be changed to meet the demands of today’s buyers, hence the fitment of an automatic transmission.
“From the time we began selling the TD 2000 in Malaysia a couple of years ago, we received requests from customers for automatic transmission. Admittedly many of those who asked for it were women, who prefer the convenience – even though the TD2000 is really quite an easy car to drive,” said Edward Teo, Managing Director of TD Cars (Malaysia) Sdn Bhd.
“However, it is not a simple matter of just adding an automatic transmission because the transmission has to be matched to the engine and other technical issues must also be examined. We were fortunate that Toyota Tshusho Corporation [the trading arm of Toyota Motor Corporation], which supplies us the brand new Toyota 3S-FE EFI engines and manual gearboxes for the TD2000, was able to get technical assistance from Toyota engineers for this exercise,” Mr Teo explained.
The automatic transmission for the TD2000 is a Toyota A42D unit, which is a well-proven and robust transmission that is also used in some Toyota models. It’s a 4-speed unit with a 4.1:1 final drive ratio.
Other mechanical specifications of the TD2000, which is made by Automotive Conversions Engineering (a subsidiary of EON) in Glenmarie, Selangor, are unchanged from the manual version. However, the 4-disc brake system has been substantially improved in performance with a servo pump added. This is particularly important for the automatic.
Prices in Malaysia (inclusive of insurance) for the new automatic version start at around RM195,950 for the TD2000 Silverstone with non-metallic paint, some RM9,500 more than the manual version. Customers can choose from a range of colours, including two-tone schemes, and there is also a lavishly-equipped Gatsby version. In Malaysia, the TD2000 is available through EON outlets while in Singapore, Cycle & Carriage Limited is the dealer.
“We’re very pleased to have EON as our distributor for Malaysia as they have the biggest network of sales outlets. With EON giving attention to the domestic market, we have been able to focus our efforts on the export market and besides Singapore, we the TD2000 has already been sold on Australia, where it was originally conceived in the mid-1980s,” Mr Teo said.
He revealed that the TD2000 will soon be seen in Taiwan as there has been strong interest there. “Actually, we did not consider Taiwan earlier because it’s a lefthand drive market and it was not our intention to make a lefthand drive model. However, as the interest shown has been quite significant, we will make a LHD variant of the TD2000,” he said.
“The availability of automatic transmission certainly broadens the appeal of the TD2000 while the LHD variant means we can market the TD2000 in virtually any country in the world,” Mr Teo added.
The Japanese market is also being targeted and while discussions are ongoing with some parties in the UK to distribute the cars, two British enthusiasts have already bought TD2000s to bring home.
Mr Teo said that he is looking forward to Malaysia’s full implementation of AFTA (the ASEAN Free Trade Area) so that the TD2000 can be sold in other ASEAN countries without being subjected to the very high import duties. “Apart from being made in Malaysia, it also has very much more than the minimum 40% ASEAN content in its construction so it definitely can qualify for AFTA benefits in terms of preferential tariffs when imported to other ASEAN countries,” explained Mr Teo.
“The fact that the TD2000 has met the Australian Design Rules (ADRs) for such cars means that it is considered technically acceptable in most countries. We spent a considerable sum of money to have the car ADR-certified when we upgraded its specifications with the Toyota DOHC 16-valve engine after transferring production to Malaysia and it was certainly worth the effort,” said Roland Funk, TD Cars Malaysia’s Director responsible for production and R&D.
