GM's 8 Speed Automatic is in the Works

[JT87]

Duplicate, Please delete.
Thanks!

[JT87]

I subscribe to SAE's AEI monthly magazine, and within the June issue, there is an article that talks about future automatic transmissions (DCT's, CVT's, 8 speeds, etc). It briefly talks about competitor's transmissions (ie. the Lexus 8 speed, the coming BMW ZF 8 Speed, etc) and briefly touches on GM's upcoming 8 speed (supposedly for 2011/2012MY). It will apparently have different flow paths and configurations, allowing for more ratios without having to add more planetary sets.

It doesn't go into much detail at all, but it does confirm in a way, that GM is developing an 8s speed for larger vehicles.

(Mods, please move this to an appropriate forum, as I couldn't find an appropriate sub forum)

[FenwickHockey65]

I was wondering what was going on with this project...I even remember reading about it on this site before I became a member.

[ChevyRules]

And is GM developing a DCT?

[plane]

GM will never have a DCT.
That's because GM steadfastly refuses to build any transmission with more than 4 gears.
Those so called "Six-Speed" transmissions?
Total marketing bull****.
Unless you buy the two-speed rear end, it's the same 4-speed under the aluminum.
Or so I've been told.
By a Honda salesman.
He seemed really believable.

[Aprime]

Originally Posted by plane

GM will never have a DCT.
That's because GM steadfastly refuses to build any transmission with more than 4 gears.
Those so called "Six-Speed" transmissions?
Total marketing bull****.
Unless you buy the two-speed rear end, it's the same 4-speed under the aluminum.
Or so I've been told.
By a Honda salesman.
He seemed really believable.

And regular GM dealers hate Saturn.

"THE VIBE'S MUCH MORE GM (yeah sure if Toyota = GM nao) THAN THEIR ASTRA, DURR UHRR DUR CAN'T GET IT SERVICED HERE BOI (bull, there isn't that '09 notice' in Canada)".

How to lose all my respect in a matter of 5 minutes.

At least I've got nothing wrong to say about their service department.

[wtgkb8]

Originally Posted by plane

GM will never have a DCT.
That's because GM steadfastly refuses to build any transmission with more than 4 gears.
Those so called "Six-Speed" transmissions?
Total marketing bull****.
Unless you buy the two-speed rear end, it's the same 4-speed under the aluminum.
Or so I've been told.
By a Honda salesman.
He seemed really believable.

I sure hope you are not being serious here...
What he, the "Honda salesman" told you is of course false...

The new "6 speed" transmission are true 6 spds. For example...the G8 has 6 specific ratios inside the tranny:
4.03:1
2.36
1.53
1.15
0.85
0.67

with a single rear axle ratio of 2.92:1

That is the the 6L80E Hydromatic from GM

Here is more info for your pleasure about these true 6 spds...and other tranny details for other products:

http://media.gm.com/us/powertrain/en...2008/08car.htm

[minnfang]

That's cool for marketing, etc. but... More than six speeds in a car is just retarded. Even motorcycles with their peaky powerbands only have six.

Technically speaking, adding a bajillion gears to cars with the biggest engines makes little sense. Cars with the smallest engines could benefit the most from more gears. Flame away.

[Quattro]

Originally Posted by plane

GM will never have a DCT.
That's because GM steadfastly refuses to build any transmission with more than 4 gears.
Those so called "Six-Speed" transmissions?
Total marketing bull****.
Unless you buy the two-speed rear end, it's the same 4-speed under the aluminum.
Or so I've been told.
By a Honda salesman.
He seemed really believable.

You always make me laugh, even more so when somebody argues with your statement.

[61BelAir]

Originally Posted by plane

GM will never have a DCT.
That's because GM steadfastly refuses to build any transmission with more than 4 gears.
Those so called "Six-Speed" transmissions?
Total marketing bull****.
Unless you buy the two-speed rear end, it's the same 4-speed under the aluminum.
Or so I've been told.
By a Honda salesman.
He seemed really believable.

GM has a two speed rear end? When did that happen? Wouldn't that make the 4 speed an 8 speed and not a 6 speed? By the way I have some land in Florida for sale real cheap, i'll give you a great deal if you're interested.

[mbukukanyau]

Originally Posted by plane

GM will never have a DCT.
That's because GM steadfastly refuses to build any transmission with more than 4 gears.
Those so called "Six-Speed" transmissions?
Total marketing bull****.
Unless you buy the two-speed rear end, it's the same 4-speed under the aluminum.
Or so I've been told.
By a Honda salesman.
He seemed really believable.

u r joking, right?

[Minnesota Nice]

That's fantastic.

However, I'd like to see more 5 or 6 speed automatics being put into their current cars, from entry level up to the very top of the line models.

That way, people can stop using it as an excuse why not to buy a GM product.

[mgescuro]

DCT would be nice. Saab and Opel would probably most benefit from it, as their main competition already has them. Wouldn't be a bad thing if GM licensed one from a 3rd party. (But GM still suffers from NIH Syndrome.)
Cars like Corvette and XLR and the Cadillacs and the Kappas would benefit from DCT and even an F1 style transmission.

GM already has a CVT around. They just need to perfect it.

GM's 8-Speed has been known to be under development for quite some time. Their timeline is a bit longer than I'd like, but that's GM's way of doing things. At least we know the timeframe now. Might be good in the DT7.

[plane]

Originally Posted by mbukukanyau

u r joking, right?

Yes.

I just could not stomach the thought of yet another thread lambasting GM for being the last manufacturer willing to throw a 4-speed transmission into a modern vehicle. Yes, GM does make too many 4-speeds, but that is rapidly diminishing to the point of extinction and GM is not the only manufacturer still doing this.

I'll agree with mgescuro that a DSG would be a nice addition for GM's upper shelf vehicles- who can argue with lightning-fast shifts and the fuel-economy of a manual?

[samkung]

Maybe GM should just spend some money to have a 5-speed instead, and use it to replace all the low end 4 speed.

PS: Please keep the 8-speed Cadillac exclusive!!!!