Revamped GM Trucks to Have Only Six Gears

[nsap]

New Silverado, Sierra to have carryover transmissions.
www.GMInsideNews.com
July 5, 2012
By: Nick Saporito

Spy shots of General Motors' upcoming redesigned full-size trucks may be commonplace at this point, but details of what resides underneath the camouflage has been scarce. The unusual deficit of information is slowly starting to come to end, starting with information regarding GM's transmission selection for the trucks. Despite competitors, such as Ram, upgrading to new eight-speed automatic transmissions for their half-ton pickups, GM will be launching their new trucks with six-speeds all around - but eight's will eventually come.

Currently the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra have four-speed automatic transmissions standard with the V-6 and base V-8. After a controversial launch with only four-speed automatics back when the trucks launched in 2007, GM eventually upgraded most of the volume trims to their in-house six-speed automatic. Meanwhile, the competition at Ford and Dodge have moved entirely to six-speed automatics, with Ram migrating to eight-speeds in higher end models for 2013.

According to multiple sources, the launch of GM's 2014 full-size trucks will mirror the launch of the 2007's, at least in terms of transmissions. Both the 2014 Silverado and Sierra will launch exclusively with six-speed automatic transmissions; the same units that are in today's models. The move is a step up from the current mix of four and six speeds, but will likely fall short of some expectations assuming GM would use the new truck and SUV line to launch their eight-speed automatics.

Just like the current trucks received their six-speeds a few years after the initial launch, the all-new trucks will receive eight-speeds later. The current plan calls for the trucks to receive a mid-cycle enhancement a couple years after their 2013 calendar year launch. As part of the tweaking, the trucks are currently slated to be upgraded with two more gears. GMI expects the eight-speeds to be developed internally as part of GM's Hydra-Matic automatic transmission lineup.

So, why the delay? Simply put, GM's eight-speed automatics will not be ready when the trucks launch next year. Many sources have cited GM's 2009 bankruptcy as the main source of delay for the eight-speeds, an excuse that has propagated it's way to several GM programs.

Once GM's Hydra-Matic eight-speed transmissions are ready, expect them to proliferate the GM stable much like the six-speeds did: starting with the biggest applications and working down.

[PHAT-JAY]

Thanks for the Info, but GOD isn't it time for GM to catch on to 8-Speed Tranny's, I mean by the time the do there will be 12 Speed tranny's...

[bobojay]

Personally, with the current development of the shifting algorithms on the current 6spds, and the feeling that you get from the results of the shifts, I'd be glad to stay with the 6's. The smoothness is just not there yet.
Know what I mean? Upshift, downshift, upshift, downshift. Drives me nuts sometimes......

[jzchev28]

This kinda sucks to start off behind... I did not realize that they still sold trucks with 4 speeds... sad as well.

[DAyers]

I am not surprised at all. It takes a lot of time today to develop these new transmissions. You will notice that Chrysler went offshore to find the 8-speed transmission for the Ram.

[jbartley]

I wonder if the 8spd might make an appearance in the Yukon Denali and Escalade at launch tho...


Sent from my Autoguide iPhone app

[DAyers]

Thanks for the Info, but GOD isn't it time for GM to catch on to 8-Speed Tranny's, I mean by the time the do there will be 12 Speed tranny's...

Ha. Add one more gear to that 12-speed transmisson you are talking about, put it behind the Cummins diesel engine in the 2500 and 3500, and you will have the drivetrain that most over-the-road truck-tractors run today.

[smith7629]

The year is 2032.... "GM trucks suck, they only have 33 speed transmissions and a mere 950 horsepower. Gosh, these days you gotta have 50 gears and at least a thousand horsepower."

[CamaroCrazy]

Personally, with the current development of the shifting algorithms on the current 6spds, and the feeling that you get from the results of the shifts, I'd be glad to stay with the 6's. The smoothness is just not there yet.
Know what I mean? Upshift, downshift, upshift, downshift. Drives me nuts sometimes......

I hear you. That's the biggest thing I noticed in the new BMW 328i with the eight speed auto - it was constantly shifting and it was noticeable and to a point, annoying.

Keeping the 6 speeds for a few more years isn't the end of the world. There should be efficiencies coming from the new Gen V small block that will increase fuel economy over the current models.

[Avalanche13]

nsap,

Are the Tahoe/Suburban expected to get the 8sp at launch or will they be 6sp equipped?

[nsap]

nsap,

Are the Tahoe/Suburban expected to get the 8sp at launch or will they be 6sp equipped?

Same as trucks.

[Quixote88]

Same as trucks.

Nick, do you have a tentative launch schedule for the next gen trucks?

Will it be Silverado/Sierra first, with a couple month separation for the Tahoe/Yukon/Suburban/Yukon XL/Escalade?

I apologize if this info is listed elsewhere... Other info I've seen regarding scheduling is rather old. I was just wondering if there has been updated dates...

Thanks...

[spd98]

Thanks for the Info, but GOD isn't it time for GM to catch on to 8-Speed Tranny's, I mean by the time the do there will be 12 Speed tranny's...

There is no truck selling in any volume with an 8 speed. I don't think this is a big deal at all. Now if GM pushes it out 4 years it will become a big deal. But right now this really isn't news.

[optiongm]

There is no truck selling in any volume with an 8 speed. I don't think this is a big deal at all. Now if GM pushes it out 4 years it will become a big deal. But right now this really isn't news.

Well a 2014 truck with expected MCE in 2-3 years or 2016-2017 model year is 4-5 years on my calender.....

[EcoBustier69]

There is no truck selling in any volume with an 8 speed. I don't think this is a big deal at all. Now if GM pushes it out 4 years it will become a big deal. But right now this really isn't news.

I guarantee you Ford has taken notice of the Ram models with 8-spd. Especially when the 8-spd V-6 challenges the Ecoboost 3.5 6-spd on fuel economy. They will probably go to 8-spd between MY14 & 15.

But GM is better off delaying rather than fielding an 8-spd with design defects/shortcomings.