GM’s technology development efforts span the entirety of the driving experience – including vehicle shifting. To that end, most GM vehicles are now equipped with GM Electronic Precision Shift (EPRS) technology, which provides the driver with a digital/electronic shifting interface to select the desired gear. This technology also provides a number of different benefits, as outlined here.
For those readers who may be unaware, GM Electronic Precision Shift technology was first made available in the 2016 Cadillac CT6 luxury sedan, with the 2017 Cadillac XT5 crossover and 2017 Buick LaCrosse sedan following shortly thereafter. Now, EPRS can be found in a wide variety of GM vehicles spanning The General’s various brands.
Because EPRS removes the physical connection between the shifter in the cabin and the actual transmission, the benefits of using EPRS are just as broad as its implementation, with highlights including reduced noise and vibration, a smoother, more precise and more responsive shifting behavior, more available cabin space, and even reduced weight thanks to the elimination of the shift gate and shift linkage. To this latter point, the Cadillac XT5 makes use of GM EPRS technology to provide users with a “floating” center console design that includes a large storage space located underneath the shifter in the center tunnel.
“Floating” center console design in the Cadillac XT5
Interestingly, the GM EPRS also provides an opportunity for multiple types of shifter designs. Some of these include a joystick-style shifter, a gear selector on the steering wheel stalk, and a push-pull-style array of buttons. An example of the joystick-style shifter would include the Cadillac CT4, while an example of the steering wheel stalk gear selector would include the Chevy Blazer EV, and finally, an example of the push-pull-style button shifter would include the Chevy Corvette C8.
Although EPRS tech is now in use on most GM models, there are currently a few exceptions, as listed below:
- Buick Encore GX
- Buick Envista
- Chevy Camaro
- Chevy Colorado
- Chevy Express
- Chevy Malibu
- Chevy Silverado HD
- Chevy Trax
- GMC Canyon
- GMC Savana
- GMC Sierra HD
If you’re interested in learning more about the GM Electronic Precision Shift system, check out our intel page on the topic, and remember to subscribe to GM Authority for more GM technology news and around-the-clock GM news coverage.
Comments
Yeah, and most GM vehicles have the “Shift to Park” issue too.
“Reduced weight thanks to the elimination of the shift gate and shift linkage”
Don’t know about GM’s setup, but our workplace fleet has some RAM trucks with the shift knob on the dash, and they have a shift cable under the dash anyway in case they get stuck in park!
What does this over-engineering save? There are some things that need to be left mechanical (steering wheel, HVAC controls, shift lever) despite the industry’s best efforts to overthink them.
It’s because ‘cool’ whizz-bangery sells despite its uselessness.
Hands-free driving comes to mind.
Great article. Now I am certain that we will not get this feature on our next truck. Too many things are physically disconnected as it is.
Not sure why auto makers see the need to change the order of the gears. What’s with this R,N,P, D sequence?? Audi does something weird too by making Park a separate button. How about focusing on what is really important…like predictable shifting. GM I’m talking to you. At least Audi has THAT down pat.
There is a big negative to these electronic shift systems. The vehicle will NOT come out of Park unless the engine is running. Why? With a mechanical shift linkage system, you are providing the motive force to pull the parking pawl out of engagement in the transmission. On ‘shift by wire’ systems, there is a servo valve powered by hydraulic pressure from the torque converter running the pump in the automatic transmission. No engine running = no hydraulic pressure.
Think about that the next time your engine won’t start and you need to move (push) the car. Better not stall out in an intersection….
My present car has no hydraulics in its automatic transmission, and the shifter is a dial on the center console. But it is not a GM brand. Yet it ts American made and a hybrid.
A bunch of young minded engineers at GM all changing something that already works all for a few pounds .Everytime I look at a new car waiting to see what they will take away next.I am not excited anymore about new cars like the past.Cars that drive themselves,Park themselves,electric parking brakes.Keyed door locks and more.Don’t think we can stop it but do we really need it especially when dealers can’t fix “Technology “with keeping your car at the dealership .All for a higher price.Just saying….
Wonder what a spilled Mountain Dew Code Red does to that shifter…