GM 8-Speed Automatic Transmission To See Wide Use

GM’s new 8-speed automatic transmission, known internally as 8L90, will be introduced shortly on the 2015 Corvette, giving it up to 29 MPG on the highway. But its use won’t stop there. According to IHS Automotive, as many as 200,000 8-speed transmission units may be fitted to the Chevrolet Silverado and GMC Sierra pickup trucks in each of the next two years.

Starting in 2016, the 8L90 will appear in the Chevy Colorado/GMC Canyon midsize pickups. The General’s full-size Chevy Express and GMC Savana vans will get the 8 speed garbox in 2018, followed by the Cadillac ATS and CTS models, as well as select Camaros, will also get versions of the 8L90 as well. This new transmission will help GM stretch to meet stringent fuel economy mandates in 2020.

While GM has worked hard to perfect fast shifting for the Corvette application, having an 8-speeds pays significant fuel economy dividends in any rear wheel drive application. GM global product chief Mark Reuss says that transmissions with higher numbers of gears will be “a big part of our product lineup” in the future.

IHS Automotive expects the 8-speed transmission to be superseded by a 10-speed unit that GM is developing jointly with Ford by model year 2018.

Source: Automotive News

2016 Ford Ranger Spotted Testing In US, Again

The Ford Ranger was, by far, the most popular small truck in America…right up to the moment Ford killed it. Many people have loudly decried this move as a mistake, and Ford may be coming around to our way of seeing things.
For the second time in a month, the 2016 Ford Ranger has been caught testing in America, this time completely uncovered in pictures sent to Jalopnik. But that doesn’t mean a new Ranger is a sure thing for the US.

Of course, it would be a great addition to Ford’s lineup, especially if it came with the 3.2 liter diesel engine capable of towing a train locomotive. The “global Ranger” as it is colloquially called, is about 10% smaller than the best-selling Ford F150, but it is capable of much better fuel economy, sometimes even managing above 30 MPG. Of course the new aluminum body structure and 2.7 liter EcoBoost V6 mean the 2015 F150 could deliver incredible fuel economy as well, but it’s still more truck than many people need, your humble writer included. A smaller, cheaper Ranger aimed at entry level truck buyers could find wider appeal in a market where fuel economy is now a primary factor when it comes to new car buying decisions.

Even if the global Ranger does come to America though, there’s no garauntee the diesel engine will come with it. More likely, we’d see an EcoBoost four-cylinder and V6 engine offered, whereas GM is bringing a four-cylinder Duramax diesel with its new compact trucks, the Chevy Colorado and GMC Canyon. Which drivetrain would buyers prefer? Until we have some official MPG numbers/confirmation on the Ranger coming to America, it’s hard to make any sort of fair comparison. At the very least though, Ford seems to be considering re-entry into the small truck market.

Count me as a fan of this move.

Source: Gas 2.