We Hear: 2014 Corvette, New Cadillacs to Use Aisin Eight-Speed Auto Before GM’s 8A Ar

[AVANTI R5]

When Cadillac launched the XTS last May we asked them if their brand new car would get an eight-speed transmission to better compete with the BMW, Lexus and Audi. Their answer? “Just wait.” Well it looks as if the wait may be coming to an end.

Our source, buried deep within General Motors, has said that yes, the General is working on new eight-speed transmissions across their vehicle lineup. Aside from the need for Cadillac to remain competitive with other luxury automakers, eight-speeds will allow for a higher fuel economy average across GM’s fleet. This last part is crucial in light of upcoming tougher Federal mileage standards. The eight-speed units will be both longitudinal (RWD/AWD) and transverse (FWD/AWD). This family of transmission is reportedly all new and not related to GM’s long-serving 6L family. We expect the longitudinal eight-speed will debut at the Detroit auto show in the 2014 Chevrolet Corvette.




But there’s a hitch. GM’s new longitudinal eight-speeds aren’t yet ready for prime time even though, in the case of Cadillac specifically, they’re greatly needed. Our source says that since the volume involved will be large, GM wants to get it right. Realizing this, GM has reached a short-term agreement with Aisin to supply eight-speed units for rear-drive models. This most likely will include the ATS and upcoming all-new CTS as well as the new Chevrolet Corvette. Aisin is partially owned by Toyota and currently manufactures two eight-speed automatic transmissions, one capable of handling high-torque loads. After approximately one year, the supply deal with Aisin will end and GM will use its own eight-speeds for rear-drive products.

No word on whether the Aisin units will be used for GM’s upcoming new GMT900 full-size truck platform. Nor do we know when the transverse eight-speed auto will will appear for front-drive-based cars, but you can bet that one of its first applications will be in the XTS. Odds are good that the new transverse eight-speed will debut with the new Chevrolet Impala in early 2014. The Impala, XTS and Buick LaCrosse all are built off the Epsilon II platform. So you can expect eight-speeds in the Buick LaCrosse sooner than later — we’ll keep you posted.

Read more: http://wot.motortrend.com/we-hear-20...#ixzz2CD1sPYWi

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[HipToBeSquare]

Because a torquey v8 with a 6000 RPM rev band needs more gear intervals... yeah, right.

With the advent of "flappy paddles" Why do automatics still have joystick selectors?

It is no different than a game console controller... electronic switches.

Might as well be PRND buttons near the steering wheel rim, and flappy paddles behind the wheel.

Use the console real estate for something else.

[bal00]

Originally Posted by HipToBeSquare

Because a torquey v8 with a 6000 RPM rev band needs more gear intervals... yeah, right.

They're launching a new model that will probably be around until 2020. 6-speed autos will seem antiquated long before that. Don't underestimate the performance and fuel economy benefits of a modern 8-speed.

2012 BMW 328i 8AT (240 hp/255 lb-ft)
0-60 mph in 5.5 sec
14.1 @ 98 mph
23/33 mpg

2013 Cadillac ATS 2.0T (272 hp/260 lb-ft)
0-60 mph in 6.0 sec
14.4 @ 97 mph
20/30 mpg

2013 Cadillac ATS 3.6 (321 hp/275 lb-ft)
0-60 mph in 5.5 sec
14.0 @ 102 mph
19/28 mpg

The 328i probably puts out closer to 270 hp in the real world, but it's pretty obvious that the ATS would benefit from a better transmission.

[daveyboy]

Originally Posted by HipToBeSquare

Because a torquey v8 with a 6000 RPM rev band needs more gear intervals... yeah, right.

With the advent of "flappy paddles" Why do automatics still have joystick selectors?

It is no different than a game console controller... electronic switches.

Might as well be PRND buttons near the steering wheel rim, and flappy paddles behind the wheel.

Use the console real estate for something else.

Bring back the bench seat!

Ok, buckets with a seat in the middle... .

[blubaru703]

Are they going to keep the LS block?

[Scooby921]

Originally Posted by blubaru703

Are they going to keep the LS block?

Not technically. It was posted a couple weeks ago here. It's the "Gen 5" block, but they're calling it an LT1.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2424303

[blubaru703]

Originally Posted by Scooby921

Not technically. It was posted a couple weeks ago here. It's the "Gen 5" block, but they're calling it an LT1.

http://forums.nasioc.com/forums/show....php?t=2424303

So..It's still an LS. They are just calling it "LT1" instead of LS 10 or whatever.

[Scooby921]

Probably better to discuss it in that specific thread, but I think it's technically just a GM small block (Gen 5 variety). I don't know for certain, but I think the LS/LT designation may have more to do with how the engine is built up and spec'd out. Slight difference to a bore or stroke or perhaps a difference in bearing sizes may lead to one version or another, but the general design of the raw block casting is the 5th generation small block.