2017 Malibu Premier Debuts New Jointly Developed 9-Speed Transmission

Since 2013 we’ve known that GM and Ford had teamed up to develop 10-speed longitudinal and 9-speed transverse transmissions. 

While many keystrokes have been shed over the 10-speed debuting in the ZL1 Camaro and the Ford F-150 Raptor, little has been written about the 9-speed.

We still don’t know much about the gearbox itself, however we can tell you the 2017 Malibu Premier will be the first vehicle from either company to use the new 9-speed box.

The lone technical tidbit is the final drive ratio, going from the 8-speed (MRC) to the 9-speed (M3E) changes the final drive axle ratio from 3.08 to 2.89.

L, LS and LT trims will continue to use a 6-speed automatic.