GM Trucks Getting Geared up
In the last few years we have seen the number of gears in transmissions get higher and higher. While a 5-speed gearbox was enough back then, it is now considered archaic. Now, vehicles comes standard with six speeds, and a number of cars are equipped with seven, eight or even nine forward ratios, in an effort to reduce fuel consumption and help acceleration.
GM will now follow its rival RAM in the pickup truck segment by offering an eight-speed automatic transmission in its 1500 model lineup equipped with the 6.2 L V8. This will also affect the Yukon equipped with the same engine. This new gearbox is no larger than the one it replaces, but it will offer a lower starting ratio to help drivers that tow heavy loads take off more easily, and will also lower RPM at highway speed with a higher final gear. Since the 6.2 L V8 is also equipped with cylinder deactivation, fuel economy should be notable.
Speaking of economy, the manufacturer should be releasing their final EPA fuel consumption numbers closer to the production of this transmission, slated for the end of 2014.