GM - 8-Speed Automatic?

[Carlwalski]

I think that would be awesome.....autos are fast becoming the new tech section of all brands. Working on the sequential autos & shaving milliseconds between shifts is just as important as the engine mechanics itself these days.

8 short ratios? I'd drive it: http://www.carpoint.com.au/car-review/2070641.aspx



 

[72hemi]

Wow that looks sweet. I wonder how many of the 8 speeds are over drives. Probably just 8th. I wonder if they will put it in the Camaro?

[Carlwalski]

I'd say they would.....imagine banging down 6 gears from 8th into 2nd!
You could easily loose count of what gear you're in.......

[Bueller1]

Lexus already has it!

http://www.lexus.com/models/LS/features/performance/eightspeed_automatic_transmission.html

[Carlwalski]

So they do, however, I'm pretty sure the trans Lexus uses will be a typical Euro style slushbox.
These 8-Speeds that GM will make will be more performance orientated - one would hope.

[MEK-Dangerfield]

Wowsa, That's A LOT of gears!!     

 I hope they do it right. When I bought my 05 Mustang, I anxiously awaited the 5-speed auto. I was thinking this would give me better hiway milage, as it would be cruising at lower RPM's than a 4-speed auto. NOT true. It turned out to be the opposite. First gear is tall for fast starts, to make you feel like you have a muscle car that will launch. In everyday easy driving, I'm in second gear at 5 MPH.  So really, that is a wasted gear on me. With 8 gears though, G.M. should be able to spread it out a little more... I hope. 


  Mike

[Madmax440]

My corvette isn't an automatic, but has the 4+3 manual trans in there and once I flip over the overdrive swicth it does give me an extra range of gears.

[tactransman]

What is really interesting is Ford made a 5 speed auto out of a 4 speed auto by changing just...............the computer programming! They put the OD band on in second  to make first,second,overdriven second,third,fourth and then fifth! They could even overdrive reverse for a two speed reverse if they had wanted to!! But sorry ,that is as far as it goes as far as Ford being smart on their transmissions.