Final answer:
The 2020 370Z Coupe's lockup torque converter improves fuel economy by reducing engine slippage and engine noise at highway speeds by establishing a direct connection between the engine and transmission. It helps the car run more efficiently and quietly, contributing to advancements in fuel efficiency and emission reductions.
Step-by-step explanation:
The 2020 370Z Coupe's lockup torque converter plays a significant role in improving fuel economy and reducing cabin noise, particularly at highway speeds. The integration of the lockup mechanism allows the engine and transmission to directly connect at certain speeds, eliminating the slippage that normally occurs in a traditional torque converter. This absence of slippage means the engine doesn’t have to work as hard to maintain cruising speeds, leading to better fuel efficiency.
Moreover, when the lockup torque converter engages, it reduces the engine’s RPM due to the direct connection with the transmission. Lower RPMs result in less engine noise which contributes to a quieter ride. This technology, along with other transmission advancements like 7+ speeds, dual clutch transmissions (DCTs), and continuously variable transmissions (CVTs), help modern vehicles achieve optimal fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions.
Finding cars that exceed the fuel efficiency of an airplane on a per-person basis, with an airplane getting 90 m.p.g., is challenging. However, these technological improvements in automotive transmissions, like those found in the 370Z Coupe, are integral in achieving the closest possible fuel efficiency to that benchmark.