GM’s Offering New Nine-Speed in “High-Volume SUV” in China This Year
At the end of 2016, General Motors confirmed that its all-new Hydra-Matic 9T50 nine-speed automatic transmission would be debuting with the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu and subsequently offered with the 2017 Cruze Diesel, 2018 Equinox, and 2018 Traverse. On Monday, GM confirmed that the nine-speed transmission will debut in China “in a high-volume SUV later this year.”
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GM did not confirm a debut vehicle, but it did confirm that the new transmission with be offered in a baker’s dozen models between the Chevrolet, Buick, and Cadillac brands between now and 2020. The nine-speed offers drivers more fuel efficiency—GM estimates up to 2% improvement in efficiency over the outgoing six-speed transmission and even more efficiency when working on conjunction with stop/start technology—as well as a precision-minded driving experience.
“GM has made it a priority to bring our company’s most advanced global technologies to China to benefit our local customers,” said Michael Carman, GM China vice president, Global Propulsion Systems. “This is enabling us to reduce emissions and maximize the fuel economy of our current and next generation of vehicles.”
General Motors will make the Hydra-Matic 9T50 nine-speed transmission optional for 10 different vehicles by the conclusion of this year. The transmission has a 7.6:1 overall ratio, a 4.69 first gear ratio, and a 0.62 top gear ratio, which helps improve a vehicle’s acceleration and fuel economy. The new transmission also creates less engine noise with a smaller package size made possible by on-axis design and the application of a selectable one-way clutch.
GM will launch 18 new models in China in 2017.
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