New Whirlpool washer line spotted

[smurdle450]

While scouring Google, I managed to find what appears to be Whirlpool's next iteration of their mid-range VMW. The capacity has been dropped by 0.1 Cu Ft, and the control panel has been quite significantly changed by the looks.

Unfortunately, the flat impeller that I am known to despise still remains.

If anybody knows more, please feel free to chime in!

https://www.appliancedirect.com/Whi...Top-Load-Impeller-Washer-with-Built-in-Faucet

 

[appnut]

I noticed in the accompanying photos, there was a dryer model that matched with drop down door and one with a side swing door. I found the side-swing door dryer on Best Buy. WED5050LW. In the description it said the dryer matched washers WTW5010LW, WTW5015LW, and WTW5057. Maybe one of those two corresponding models will have the agitator.

This model appears to be the WP corresponding model to the Maytag WVW62000, introduced 10 months or so ago. Our Canadian member bought the corresponding matching Maytag dryer the WED6200. I like the new WP version of the dryer as it has side swing door and steam refresh.

In fact, go look at Best Buy's web site and you can see all 3 of the above-mentioned models. Featuring removable agitators.

 

[smurdle450]

Other models' initial assumptions

My guess is that the 5015 will be the "agitator" model of the 5010, similar to how the 4850's "agitator" variant is the 4855.

As for the 5057, that will be the 4.7/4.8 Cu ft variant of the weird agitator/impeller hybrid model, which I have seen teased on Whirlpool's website See the link, and scroll toward the bottom to see the 5057 referenced. Also attached a screenshot.

https://www.whirlpool.com/laundry/2-in-1-removable-agitator-washer.html

 

[user 12105]

This is certainly not a progression but regression. Their DD line was simplified. Why couldn't they have left well enough alone ? AFAIK nobody asked for these types of machines but we are going to accept this garbage whether we want to not.This company is out of touch with the consumer.

 

[imperial70]

I wonder if they plan to do a remake of the Unitized Washer/Dryer stack.

 

[combo52]

WP Unitized Stack Washers and Dryers

WP still makes gas and electric 27" Thin Twins and 24" electric models.

 

John L.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

what else has changed?

What about the wash action?

 

[user 12105]

Wonder if they will offer anymore models with one piece porcelain tubs ?

 

[DADoES]

 
I've always been curious what kind of in-home research and testing appliance manufacturers do, if any, for new features and models, and where and how they choose the test areas.  I've never known any typical consumers / users involved with anything like that.

 

[hobarthero]

Removable Agitator Benefits??

I’ve never been impressed at all by any top load machine without an agitator. Usually it simply results in zero rollover which doesn’t effectively clean anything. If I need to wash a bulky item such as a comforter I would much rather do so in a front load machine at a laundromat rather than a TL machine without an agitator.
-Shannon

 

[jerrod_six]

From the videos I've seen, the agitator clips onto the wash plate, moves along with it and does nothing.

 

[imperial70]

Thanks John,
But I am wondering when they are going to refresh that line. It's pretty outdated looking at this point. And the 24" has only 1.6 cu ft. capacity compared to GE's 2.

 

[appnut]

I kind of like the style, reminds me of a panel design Whirlpool had for some center-dial Kenmore models in the very early 1970s. I think there's even a POD. Similar to GE's current "commercial" laundry pair.

 

[user 12105]

Speaking of the GE "commercial" laundry I saw a GE commercial dryer. The top panel was as flimsy as could be. Nothing commercial about that line. Even the Maytag commercial is better built.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

I've been thinking

about the GE commercial line. I hope they reintroduce the filter-flo line someday.

 

[jamiel]

Regarding in-home testing: I would assume that they initially place new machine designs with local employees...this would be after lifecycle testing within the lab. I worked for a division of GE in 1989-1992 (during their transition away from FilterFlo washer design) and they were seeking employees where they could place the new (plastic) design washing machines for longer-term use. They had just had lots of success with the PermaTuf dishwasher design so had a lot of confidence in the new suspended washer desing.

 

[user 12105]

There is something to be said for the hanging suspension. Before I sold my Amana I couldn't feel the floor shake. Now with the Estate DD I could feel the vibrations in the floor and it is noticable. Still the DD was an overall better design than the vmw.

 

[gelaundry4ever]

ever notice

how whirlpool designed the short/fast stroke and others like GE and maytag followed suit?

 

[gelaundry4ever]

jamiel

what other changes did you notice about the GE's when you were working on the suspended design? What about the motor and transmission? What about the pumps?

 

[pierreandreply4]

what the diffrence with this new whirlpool compared to this?

Whats the diffrence with this new whirlpool washer compared to this maytag washer?

 

[smurdle450]

Maytag vs WP

I reckon the new whirlpools will not be much different to their current lineup in terms of how they work, it will most likely be appearance changes, and not much beyond.

The main omission in comparison to that Maytag will be the lack of a display.

 

[user 12105]

Admittedly they have a nice clean look to them
Sort of Samsungish but they really need to overhaul that wash plate design or get better programming for what they do have.

 

[murando531]

"really need to overhaul that wash plate design or get better programming"

It seems they already have. There are one or two short videos like the one in this link where it seems they've really ramped up the agitation strokes on the VMAX platform to compensate for the lower-profile impeller. There are three VMAX machines in our family now, a WP 8500, a Maytag 855, and another Maytag 765 agipeller, all with the BPM drive system, and NONE of them are ever as aggressive as this one with the redesigned control panel. If you notice this is on Regular-Normal which is even more of a stark difference.

The past model VMAX machines move loads around just fine as long as they're loaded properly and given the proper cycle and soil level, but just take a little bit of time to notice that things ARE blooming and rolling, just not as much as the Oasis platform did. But with the kind of agitation in THIS video there should be much more noticeable rollover going forward.

Now if only the past models could get firmware updates, even if you had to download the new programming to a flash drive and plug it in manually...

 

[user 12105]

Why have a huge tub for the agitator models with those pathetic small vains at the bottom ? Why does everything have to change and for what purpose ? Are we all supposed to accept inferior performance for the lie of saving "mother earth"?

Why don't any of the Whirlpool employees on this site ever speak up ? Why does everything have to change ? For what purpose ? Admittedly the new Whirlpool machines are very stylish but wish they would stop messing with what always worked up until the end of the DD washers. Give us back real agitator washers Whirlpool with options the user can choose like water usage and adjustable times.

Where are the Whirlpool engineers on this site ? Please speak up!

 

[littlegreeny]

I'm also curious if there are any Whirlpool folks on here?? I have to say WP/MT top load washers sure are loud compared to their Korean competitors.

 

[user 12105]

Which machines are you talking about ? I had a WP front loader and it was quiet. If you mean quiet compared to Whirlpool's older machines that's because they used Heavy Duty 1/2 H.P. motors in the DD washers. A machine that makes some noise gives it character and makes it identifiable.

 

[pierreandreply4]

washer i posted reply #19

when its on i know by the noise while it wash rinse and spin that everything is working well

 

[littlegreeny]

Patrick, I was referring to their current <span style="text-decoration: underline;">top</span> load washers only like the one in the video posted in reply #22.

 

[user 12105]

They all make noise to some degree.Has anyone seen a Samsung agitator washer live yet ?

 

[gelaundry4ever]

Not just Whirlpool.

It's not just Whirlpool, but GE too.