[SuperSnake]

Here's one possibility with the SS....

General Motors will end its internal-only approach to transmissions, opting to buy some 8-speed units from suppliers to mate with its upcoming twin-turbo V6. For the most part, however, GM will continue to develop and manufacture its own auto-boxes, with a new generation of 8-speed units arriving soon. But not soon enough.

While domestic rival Chrysler has already begun a roll-out of 8-speed units in its models, GM’s in-house developed units won’t be available until around 2016. As a result, many of GM’s exciting new flagship models won’t have an 8-speed at launch, instead relying on older 6-speed units.

Included in that list of models, reports GMInsideNews, are cars like the next-generation Cadillac CTS, Chevy Camaro and even the upcoming C7 Corvette. The 8-speed automatic transmission should arrive in time for a mid-cycle update on those cars. Expect the 8-speed auto to then arrive in GM’s full-size truck lineup about the same time.

Sure seems like once SS production shifts to the U.S. come 2016 if Chevrolet expands the SS line-up there just could be an 8-speed transmission available.

 

[\/Eight]

twin-turbo v6 8-speed transmission alpha platform Camaro = DO WANT
2016 and beyond chevy will finally start to get smarter but they better not screw it up and once again leave the chevy ss out of the list of vehicles to get the 8-speed. by 2016 we need 8-speed and 6 speed manual transmissions

 

[brianch]

more slushboxes!!!!!!!!!

someone is late to the game.

 

[SuperSnake]

The TR6060 is available and being installed along side the SS Sedan.
We are STILL not getting the manual.

You guys don't get it.
The SS Sedan is dead in 3 years.
There will be no further development or improvements.

GM's position is: THIS is the car.
If you want THIS , pay up , and we will build you one in Australia and ship it to you within 90 days.

I think this ride is over.
I'm just waiting for the price so it can be made official

Seeing how everything is going so far, yes this is what will likely happen. But then again they are hinting at something for 2016. Looks like we just gotta wait and see.

 

[z51vett]

The c7 vett for 15 has 8 speed in regular and z06 form.
If the SS makes 16 I don't look for an 8 speed would be nice for gas mileage.
z51vett
Doug

 

[R1Budha]

someone needs to kill the bot.....

 

[Pinetree]

^^^^^ agreed!

 

[KWBaraka]

OK.....so educate me. What is the REAL benefit of an 8-speed tranny over a 6-speed tranny?

KW

 

[old motorhead]

It could be set up for more torque multiplication down low and still offer a more advantageous O/D ratio on the top end. IE, a lower ratio 1st gear and a higher ratio 8th gear vs the now available A6 tranny.

 

[037]

It could be set up for more torque multiplication down low and still offer a more advantageous O/D ratio on the top end. IE, a lower ratio 1st gear and a higher ratio 8th gear vs the now available A6 tranny.

could also make life a pain in the @$$ on downshifts. I'm coming from an 8 speed auto and I am much happier with quicker shifts vs hitting the pedal to the floor and relaxing for 1-2 seconds before power suddenly comes in.

There are Pros and Cons to each.

 

[Number 3]

8 speeds just allows more flexibility for drivability and FE. It will generally deliver 1 mpg improvement over a 6 speed.

The spread allows for more optimal gearing for the right speed and engine load. You couldn't put 2 gears lower than 1st on a 6 speed and you couldn't put 2 gears higher than 6th. You would just have a car not much fun to drive if you did that.

Ultimately in our world, shift speed is equally if not more important. I will be curious to drive the new GM 8 speed (not the Aisin in the Cadillacs) which claims to shift pretty fast. One of the best parts of my Audi S4 was the DCT. Simply awesome and I've not driven and automatic that comes close......yet.

 

[msquared]

Not that I expect the SS to have an 8sp in 2016 (if there even is a 2016 SS), but...

Ultimately in our world, shift speed is equally if not more important. I will be curious to drive the new GM 8 speed (not the Aisin in the Cadillacs) which claims to shift pretty fast. One of the best parts of my Audi S4 was the DCT. Simply awesome and I've not driven and automatic that comes close......yet.

The 8sp in the Z06 appears to be pretty **** awesome. I fully agree with you about the shift speed and quality being most important. If you check the in-car vids of Pobst, Pilgrim, or Milner driving the new Z06 at press release, that setup appears to respond really well to paddle-induced shifts. Downshifts seem to work very well on a road course, too. I could live happily with that transmission.

 

[R1Budha]

the 8 speed in the corvette isnt a dual clutch unit, its a torque converter unit.

 

[jbawden]

And its NOT AWD and $32k either!!

 

[msquared]

the 8 speed in the corvette isnt a dual clutch unit, its a torque converter unit.

Well aware of that. It's also smaller and lighter than any DCT and seems to perform just as well. You know, like a pushrod LSx engine...

 

[Navy Lifer]

I'm thinking the 8Lxx transmission series isn't able to fit within the 6L80 footprint in the Zeta platform--and it's a sure bet the floor pans of the current models that would benefit (VF/WN & Camaro) are not going to be re-configured for the next 24-36 months of production.

Keepin' it real....

 

[Navy Lifer]

let me correct myself...

I'm thinking now that the ROI to update these vehicles for the rest of their production "life" (Camaro will transition to Alpha as Zeta production worldwide ends) is not justifiable, as the cost of certifying the 8L90 for use in these vehicles could not be recovered in their remaining production years, even IF 8L90 trans would fit.


Vehicle Engines Introduction


Also new for 2015, the Hydra-Matic 8L90 (M5U) eight-speed automatic transmission for rear- and all-wheel-drive vehicles. The 8L90 is a fuel-saving, electronically controlled eight-speed automatic transmission used with GM full-size trucks and SUVs, as well as the Chevrolet Corvette.



Designed and built by GM, the 8L90 transmission speed is expected to contribute up to 5-percent greater efficiency, when compared to the previous six-speed automatic. Smaller steps between gears, compared to the Hydra-Matic 6L90 six-speed automatic, keep the engine within the sweet spot of the rpm band, making the most of its horsepower and torque to optimize performance and efficiency.


New 8-Speed Enables Quicker, More Efficient Corvette


OK so I’m wrong about the 8L90 footprint:
“creative packaging enables the new eight-speed automatic to fit the same space as the previous six-speed automatic”


“Extensive use of aluminum and magnesium also make it more than eight pounds (4 kg) lighter than the six-speed.


The greater overall performance and efficiency enabled by the 8L90 in the Corvette is due primarily to a new, wider 7.0 overall gear ratio spread, which enhances off-the-line performance with a more aggressive first gear ratio – 4.56 vs. 4.03 on the six-speed – helping achieve the quicker 0-60 time.


The top gear ratio is 0.65 vs. the six-speed’s 0.67. Combined with a new, numerically lower 2.41 rear axle ratio in the Stingray vs. the 2.56 gear used with previous six-speed automatic models, engine rpm is reduced by 8 percent (123 rpm) on the highway at 70 mph. The lower engine speed reduces fuel consumption, while a new torque converter design enhances refinement, particularly during low-speed gear changes.”

OK.....so educate me. What is the REAL benefit of an 8-speed tranny over a 6-speed tranny?

KW

Done!

 

[msquared]

Navy Lifer, you made me go search for info! According to some sites like this, the 8L90 is no larger than the 6L80. So it should be able to fit. That's pretty amazing when you consider that it not only packs two more ratios but also handles 11% more input torque than the 6L80. The fact that Chevy is going to start putting it in their trucks might make it less of a stretch to have them fit it to the SS. Given the CAFE/GGT issues surrounding the SS, I'd think that mods that can improve the car's gas mileage would be at the top of any priority list. If it can get off the GGT list, it might even tip the scales toward producing the SS for 2016, and maybe get a few more sales. Probably all a pipe dream, though...

EDIT: Sorry Navy Lifer, I was typing at the same you were. Also, the lightness of the 8L90 is really impressive.

 

[Navy Lifer]

might even tip the scales toward producing the SS for 2016, and maybe get a few more sales. Probably all a pipe dream, though...

Also, the lightness of the 8L90 is really impressive.

While true, I think I hit on the real reason--cost of certification doesn't justify it for the production numbers for the remaining life of the platform.

But that shouldn't stop a future "upgrade" to both LT & 8L for the tuners and enthusiasts with the wherewithal or gonads to see it through!

 

[62nalide]

heck so many gears all I need is 3 lol