GM spreads six-speed automatic/four-cylinder combination across line

[GMusa]

GM spreads six-speed automatic/four-cylinder combination across line

After first mating its six-speed Hydramatic automatic transmission to a 2.4 liter Ecotec four-cylinder engine in the 2008 Chevrolet Malibu LTZ Spring Edition earlier this year, General Motors will spread the combination to a handful of other vehicles for 2009. With gas prices still well above where they were last year, GM is hoping to capitalize on the fuel economy (and performance) benefits of the additional two cogs.

For 2009, the Pontiac G6 and Saturn Aura will get the same combination Leftlane previewed in the Malibu last fall. GM is said to be increasing production of four-cylinder equipped Auras, G6s and Malibus and decreasing production of six-cylinders. No doubt the marketing campaigns set to begin soon will capitalize on the fuel economy of the four-cylinders.

With the six-speed/four-cylinder combination, the Aura, G6 and Malibu achieve 22/33 mpg city/highway fuel economy, a fairly healthy increase over the 22/30 the four-speed/four-cylinder 2008 models achieved. The Aura XR will come equipped with the TAPShift paddle-style shifters from the Mailbu.

On the G6, the six-speed will be part of the Sport Package 1 on base sedans only. Unlike the Aura, only the base model G6 will come with the four-cylinder motor. The Malibu will now offer the six-speed as an option in the less expensive LT trim level, though it won’t be available on the base LS trim.

With the four-speed automatic, GM says it was left at a competitive disadvantage compared to most of its five-speed automatic competition. Only a handful of competitors offer six-speed automatics.

Source: http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-sprea...ross-line.html

[bhoppes]

This is good news, too bad it didn't happen earlier, but better late than never.

[nadepalma]

Good to read.

Now too bad they don't offer a manual trans on a few of these products. I would have loved to have seen a quasi-"XFE" version with a stick....

Too bad

[osv_alero]

It is nice to see GM at the front of the curve vs behind (5 vs 6 speed).

[CamaroCrazy]

I don't know if the manuals sell well enough in these midsize cars to justify the engineering cost. Didn't Toyota drop the 5 speed manual in the new generation of the Camry? If anything was going to get the manual, I'd like to see it in the G6. Might help the "sport" cred of the car.

This reminds me of last summer. I was looking for a used CTS 3.6 with the 5 speed manual and one dealer just laughed at me. He said 2% of all non-V CTSs are manuals. Good luck finding one. I didn't, which is why I bought my 2000 Camaro (wanted a RWD manual tranny car).

[leelander]

i wonder if the cobalt and G5 are going to get the same treatment?

[Ming]

Go GM! And keep at it!

+ YouTube Video

[afireinside7710]

great news gm!!

[GMusa]

Originally Posted by leelander

i wonder if the cobalt and G5 are going to get the same treatment?

No they most likely wont.. but the 2010 Cobalt replacement might.

[jckjds]

The six speed is a nice upgrade, but GM REALLY needs to roll out a full lineup of DCT's. The fuel economy gains of a 6 spd are going to be minimal bc you're still losing power and efficiency through the torque converter. DCT's are the future.

Given that GM is going to have to invest $ in its cars to meet coming demand for fuel efficient vehicles (and CAFE), this seems like a relatively simple step to take. DCT's offer all the benfits of a manual with the convenience of an automatic. Thus, GM can increase the MPG of its entire lineup by 5-10 percent by simply going to an exclusive lineup of DCT's. Plus, as an added benefit, DCT's will allow more power to the rear wheels, meaning more performance for consumers or smaller, even more fuel efficient engines can be used in current applications. It's a win-win, and, quite frankly, can't add THAT much expense to an individual car. This and direct injection should be GM's first move to increase HP. Both are relatively simple, reliable, and increase fuel economy and power.

[MaxLegroom]

Originally Posted by CamaroCrazy

I don't know if the manuals sell well enough in these midsize cars to justify the engineering cost. Didn't Toyota drop the 5 speed manual in the new generation of the Camry? If anything was going to get the manual, I'd like to see it in the G6. Might help the "sport" cred of the car.

This reminds me of last summer. I was looking for a used CTS 3.6 with the 5 speed manual and one dealer just laughed at me. He said 2% of all non-V CTSs are manuals. Good luck finding one. I didn't, which is why I bought my 2000 Camaro (wanted a RWD manual tranny car).

No, a five speed can still be purchased in a Camry, at the very least in the base, LE and SE models with a 4 cylinder engine. However, this combination isn't sold in all areas. I couldn't buy this car where I live, but could in parts of Texas. Manuals in midsize cars sell well enough for Nissan to offer it in the Altima, VW to offer it in the Passat, there's also the Fusion/Milan twins to consider. The problem is availability. If GM offered a manual in the Malibu and G6, you can bet that Chevrolet and Pontiac dealers will continue with their mentality that you are a cheapskate for buying a stick and they will only order base model cars. If luxury is about getting what you truly want, then it is not necessarily a non sequitor to have a fully loaded G6 or Malibu LTZ with a six speed manual. Needless to say, I'd like to see these cars equipped that way, and more readily stocked. What I'm always told is that no one wants them. Then at year's end, there's automatics stacked high on the lot. A Chrysler dealer told me the same thing, and yet somehow the last Sebring coupe they had in stock, still selling as a new car a year and a half after production ended, was a automatic.

As for the Cadillac dealer that laughed at you for wanting a 6 speed CTS, I'd have told him that if he wants my business, he'll find me one, and quickly. At one time, a few years back, our local Cadillac dealer had three 5 speed CTSs on the lot. One of the people who live in my building has one. Indeed, sometimes that lot is rather the candy store...

[boblutzfan]

I too am glad to see the I4/6A combination spread to the other brands. GM should make this standard and just move on down the road. Too bad you still can't get dual climate control, DVD based navigation rear arm rest, keyless ignition, HID headlamps or real soft touch materials in the interiors of these vehicles. This is a big step for GM offering this powertrain across all brands - but they are so far behind in terms of building a class leading sedan that I doubt it will really make a difference.

[regfootball]

manual in the aura would be nice, but the 6 speed paddle shifters are a nice substitute for these commuters.

what the aura and malibu do need pronto....the ecotec turbo that is in the cobalt SS and HHR SS. perfect combo.

[nicksws6]

Ohh man, imagine the 2.0 turbo with 6sp auto. Plus add in the ability to turn off the engine when idle.

[theamcguy]

Originally Posted by GMusa

GM spreads six-speed automatic/four-cylinder combination across line


With the six-speed/four-cylinder combination, the Aura, G6 and Malibu achieve 22/33 mpg city/highway fuel economy, a fairly healthy increase over the 22/30 the four-speed/four-cylinder 2008 models achieved.

Source: http://www.leftlanenews.com/gm-sprea...ross-line.html

3 mpg highway is a fairly healthy increase? No wonder these guys are in trouble. They can't separate fact from hyperbole. Fact is I had a 1985 Ford Escort diesel that got 45/55 city highway all day long for the 10 years I had it. Timing belt broke and bent all the valves. Sent it to the junkyard. Replaced it with a 1990 Ford Escort 38/45 all day long. That's what people want now. If they could do it in 1985 and 1990 why can't they do it now? Calling a jump from 30 to 33 a fairly healthy jump is just looking for ways to sugarcoat non-news. The really sad part is the 22 mpg city. Geez my 1998 diesel Ram 2500 gets 18-20 mpg city and 25 highway when it's not pulling a trailer.