[QUOTE=Whiskeyjack;3716568]The shift changes in a conventional automatic are determined by the transmission control unit (TCU), just as they are for the DCT (PowerShift). Both transmissions take input from a similar set of sources. For best fuel economy, which seems to be super important for this vehicle class, Ford has programmed the shift changes to occur at a low rpm, around 1500 - 2000 rpm in standard drive mode, in my experience.
I wasn't referring to the timing of the shift changes; rather, I was referring to the fact that the torque converter slippage allows the engine to rev higher and produce more power. Without a torque converter, the Powershift will sometimes feel like it's in the "wrong gear," requiring a downshift if you want to accelerate.