GM’s Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission Extends to Pickups, SUVs
The 2015 Chevy Silverado LTZ ©GM
Last week, we told you about a 2015.5 Cadillac Escalade that would utilize GM’s eight-speed automatic transmission. It turns out, however, that the updated Escalade won’t be the only one in The General’s lineup to make use of the new gearbox.
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In fact, GM’s eight-speed automatic transmission will be standard on the 2015 Chevy Silverado, the 2015 GMC Sierra, and the 2015 GMC Yukon Denali/Yukon XL Denali models, when powered by the 6.2-liter EcoTec3 V8.
The 2015 GMC Sierra Denali Crew Cab ©GM
According to General Motors, the Hydra-Matic 8L90 eight-speed is just about the same size as the Hydra-Matic 6L80 six-speed automatic. The eight-speed, however, is wider, with a 7.0 overall gear ratio spread, which means a numerically higher first gear ratio for improved trailering.
GM hasn’t issued much else on the new transmission, but we can expect more information, including fuel economy, in the coming months before production begins in the fourth quarter of this year, so keep checking in.
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