General Motors has bypassed the nine-speed automatic gearbox trend, and stuck to its guns with the the automaker’s eight-speed unit as of recent. But, the fruits of GM’s strategic collaboration with Ford on a 10-speed automatic gearbox have surfaced with the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
Despite sharing development with Ford, the 2017 Camaro ZL1 features unique calibrations and hardware specifically designed and engineered for the high-performance Camaro. In addition to the 2017 Camaro ZL1, GM stated it will introduce the 10-speed unit on eight vehicle models by 2018.
The 10-speed auto has been developed for rear-wheel drive application only, meaning, likely contenders to receive the unit first are Chevrolet and GMC trucks and SUVs. Cadillac could also be up for the 10-speed unit too, knowing the gearbox is right at home with the Alpha-based, sixth-generation Camaro. And let’s not forget about the body-on-frame Escalade, or the C7 Corvette.
In the meantime, GM and Ford are also said to be sharing development over a new nine-speed transmission for front-wheel drive applications.
We’ll surely have more information on the General’s latest transmission following the ZL1’s proper introduction at the 2016 New York International Auto Show next week.
Comments
I understand the need for cost sharing collaborations in todays competitive and political environment but I do not like it. Powertrains are one of the few remaining differentiators between brands. It is a way to have a competitive advantage over another brand and that can not happen when you are sharing the exact same equiptment.
The mechanical transmission was developed together, programming logic was not. Just as the 10spd ZL1 will behave differently than putting that 10spd in a 2.0L ATS, it will behave differently in Ford’s applications.
Most luxury brands (BMW, Jag, etc) do just fine with the ZF 8-speed. Design is a more important differentiator and time/money is better spent there. Also, if powertrain differentiation is so important, why does GM allow us to buy a cadillac ats and chevy malibu with the same engine specs?
A couple of points;
First, I do not think anyone is going to confuse a Malibu and ATS regardless of engine specs nor will they be cross-shopped.
Second, their engine output is different
Third, both divisions are owned by the same company so even if someone chose a Malibu over a ATS (why would they) the profits are still ending up in the same pocket (GM).
Eventually when both the Silverado and F-150 also the Navigator and Escalade will all have this same transmission. If transmission is the deciding factor (better fuel economy, acceleration, smoother shifting, etc.) and the client chooses the Ford product then the profit from the sale of the vehicle is not coming to GM.
Take a look at the design for the 9 and 10 speeds. They are pretty close to magic, and that magic costs money.
The big three all work together that’s why apples to apples all their vehicles get the same mpg and cost is about the same with only minor difference
How about more gears in the Colorado? Already uses the same v6 as the Camaro, the new trannies should be an option there, too
I think they should speed up the process of offer the new tranny across the board. Don’t do like they are doing with the 8 speed and only offer it in select models. Any and all rear wheel drives should have the 10 speed as soon as possible. They say by 2018 8 vehicles will have the 10 speed. how about by 2020 all rear wheel drives will have the tranny no matter what enging they have. By the same time frame all front wheel drives should have the 9 speed.
After reading the title, I just remembered that GM does have a better solution: the Chevy Volt’s new 5ET50 Electric Drive Unit (EDU) that combines two electric motors, two clutches, differential, and controller into one simple package with infinite ratios (well, not really that “infinite”) as a CVT, and smoother than any automatic transmission. The 5ET50 is a FWD design, but the 2016 Cadillac CT6 Hybrid will have a RWD design with even better specs, but no differential.
We will read more about the CT6 Hybrid EDU later this year. And by adding a small battery pack behind the rear seats (as in the CT6 Hybrid) all GM RWD can have hybrid operation to save gas in slow traffic, yet accelerate faster combining the instant torque of the two electric motors with the gas engine they may have. That is the true future of all GM vehicles!
BTW, to all the readers who dislike electric motors: what does the engine cranking in your car?
CVTs can’t handle a whole lot of power. Some people like feeling the shifts. Also, everything you’re mentioning is heavy and expensive. These vehicles are expensive enough. I like the Volt myself but it’s too expensive and has awful resale.
I just hope the programming of the transmission is tuned per vehicle application. I have a traverse with the 6 speed even driving easy it revs to 3000 and shifts slow and weak annoying. Wasting mpg
Will gmc yukon denali ever put the gear shifter on the floor, or even the Tahoe , also why can’t you get the 6.2 liter in the Tahoe
just how many speeds do we need? To add more speeds and keep the same size you have to make things smaller. That means weaker. Personally, I don’t see the need for more than 8 except maybe for the heavy towing vehicles.