A transmission developed by GM SAIC
It’s no secret that General Motors has exploded with popularity in China ever since it embarked on a partnership with Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) thirteen years ago. Recently, the partnership between GM, Wuling and SAIC (known collectively as SGMW) has introduced plans for Baojun – an all-new brand that looks to increase the availability of cars to China’s middle class by offering small and dependable cars at affordable prices. Today, the latest installment to this successful collaboration between the three companies is the development for all-new, small displacement engines and transmissions.
The engines will vary in size from 1.0 to 1.5 liters and will all feature turbochargers. The new transmissions will be double-clutch (or “doppelkupplungsgetriebe”, if you’re German). According to GM, the new powertrain will help boost the fuel economy by 10 percent and cut CO2 emissions by a full 20 percent compared to the conventional six-speed transmissions currently available.
The powertrain will be built in Asia as well as the U.S., and will be made available in front-wheel drive cars that will be sold all over the world, potentially including cars such as the super-compact Chevrolet Spark and subcompact Aveo hatches. Furthermore, the new engines can be ready in two years’ time – perfect for the 2012-’13 model years, which is around the same time we expect the Spark and all-new Aveo to be sold here in the States).
GM didn’t disclose just what kind of horsepower or fuel economy it’s shooting for with the new powertrains, but hopefully these four-bangers can beat the already-impressive 40-mpg mark set by the upcoming Chevy Cruze Eco model. Stay tuned to GM Authority for the latest updates.
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