ZL-1

Here's what Cadillac has to say about the GM 8-speed which they get first: (If the 2014 CTS gets it the 2015 Stingray certainly should have it).



The Cadillac Twin-Turbo is paired with a high-performance, paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission that offers efficiency and performance advantages over a six-speed transmission – including 1.5-percent greater fuel economy.

The new paddle-shift eight-speed delivers smooth, quick shift performance – as quick as 0.3-second on wide-open-throttle upshifts – with the quietness, smoothness and refinement Cadillac customers expect. Smaller gear steps – closer ratios – support world-class performance, with quicker, more imperceptible shifting.

The wide, 6.71 gear spread of the transmission enables the CTS to deliver strong performance at all rpm levels, while achieving good fuel economy on the highway. A “tall,” 0.69-ratio eighth-gear also helps maintain a low engine speed of approximately 1,800 rpm at 70 mph – about 200 rpm lower than a six-speed – which not only enhances efficiency but contributes to a quieter driving experience.

Complete electronic control of the transmission enables it to select the best gear for the driving conditions, allowing the transmission to “skip” one or more gears, if appropriate, when up-shifting or down-shifting. In manual mode, torque converter lockup is used in gears two through eight to balance performance and efficiency, while preserving the maximum torque multiplication in first gear for optimal launch performance.

The CTS development team tailored the transmission for the high torque output of Cadillac 3.6L Twin-Turbo, which included stronger gear sets and a greater number of clutch plates. The team also wove in driver-selectable performance features enable the transmission to hold lower gears during certain performance-driving situations, for a more connected and responsive driving experience with the new turbocharged engine.

Paddle-shift control enables the driver manual control of the gear changes, for the ultimate feeling of control of the turbocharged CTS.

johnodrake

Interesting discussion for Other Cars

427 C5

It's a GM 8 spped automatic that is rated for at least 420hp, so, the identical transmission (or a variant) will end up in the C7.

I think the thread is completely relevant to the C7 and should remain in this section.

janky

obviously it'll be able to handle the upcoming LT1's torque whether through internal upgrades or just alongside revisions to making it a transaxle... no doubt a variant of this will see duty in the C7.

05dsom

there-sure-are-a-lot-of-hyphens-in-this-post

dmporter31

427 C5

Ultimate feeling of control ?????
That's GM telling you how stupid GM thinks we are.
A DCT offers the ultimate of control, and should have been the optional transmission when the C7 launched.




as quick as 0.3-second on wide-open-throttle upshifts
Big deal. Even single clutch SMGs upshift well at wide open throttle, and SMGs SUCK. The C7 needs lighting fast downshifts and control that a DCT offers.

1,800 rpm at 70 mph – about 200 rpm lower than a six-speed –

So the addition of 2 gears only nets you a 200rpm reduction and a ONE PERCENT improvement in gas mileage?
That sucks.

ZL-1

I ignored the twin turbo caddy engine because it belongs in Other Cars. But this rear wheel drive 8 speed automatic will see duty in the Corvette some time soon so I thought it should be mentioned here.

JudgeNjury

I had a good laugh as I read your response to this information on the new CTS ...thank you