[mjw930]

2015 C7 Stingray gets 8 Speed Auto!

According to Autoblog, which re-posted an official GM press release, all 2015 Corvettes will get the A8 as an option.

Chevy Corvette Stingray gets 8-speed auto for 2015 - Autoblog
http://media.gm.com/media/us/en/gm/...ages/news/us/en/2014/Apr/0407-corv8speed.html

2015 Corvette Stingray to Offer Eight-Speed Automatic
Paddle-shift gearbox rivals dual-clutch performance, enhances efficiency

DETROIT – An eight-speed paddle-shift automatic transmission will be offered in the Chevrolet Corvette Stingray for 2015, enhancing the performance and efficiency of the 2014 North American Car of the Year. Designed and built by GM, the new transmission delivers world-class shift times that rival the best dual-clutch designs.

The all-new, GM-designed 8L90 eight-speed is expected to contribute up to 5-percent greater efficiency, when compared to the previous six-speed automatic. EPA fuel economy test results are pending and will be announced later. It also makes the Corvette Stingray one of the few sports cars to offer the choice of a conventional manual transmission or an eight-speed automatic.

"Corvette Stingray's new eight-speed automatic delivers the comfort and drivability of a true automatic transmission, as well as lightning-fast shifts and the manual control that enhance the performance-driving experience," said Bill Goodrich, assistant chief engineer for eight-speed automatic transmissions. "It was designed to enhance the Stingray's driving experience, with performance on par with dual-clutch designs, but without sacrificing refinement."

The available 8L90 transmission is based on the same eight-speed automatic that will be offered on the supercharged 2015 Corvette Z06, but with unique clutch and torque converter specifications matched to the torque capacity of the Stingray's LT1 6.2L naturally aspirated engine.

For performance driving, the transmission offers full manual control via steering wheel paddles. A new transmission-control system and unique algorithms deliver shift performance that rivals the dual-clutch/semi-automatic transmissions found in many supercars – but with the smoothness and refinement that comes with a conventional automatic fitted with a torque converter.

The transmission controller analyzes and executes commands 160 times per second. Wide-open throttle upshifts are executed up to eight-hundredths of a second quicker than those of the dual-clutch transmission offered in the Porsche 911.

Smaller steps between gears, compared to the previous six-speed automatic, keep the engine within the sweet spot of the rpm band, making the most of its horsepower and torque to optimize performance and efficiency.

With four gearsets and five clutches, creative packaging enables the new eight-speed automatic to fit the same space as the previous six-speed automatic. Extensive use of aluminum and magnesium make it more than eight pounds, or 4 kg, lighter than the six-speed. Design features that reduce friction contribute to the expected 5-percent greater efficiency.

The 8L90 is built at GM's Toledo, Ohio, transmission facility.

Founded in 1911 in Detroit, Chevrolet is now one of the world's largest car brands, doing business in more than 140 countries and selling more than 4.9 million cars and trucks a year. Chevrolet provides customers with fuel-efficient vehicles that feature spirited performance, expressive design, and high quality. More information on Chevrolet models can be found at Chevrolet Cars, Trucks, SUVs, Crossovers and Vans.

 

[ALF01]

Hmmmm...thought I recall reading Tadge saying this most likely wasn't going to happen until MY2016 due to all the recalibration work needed, and efforts focused on the Z06 utilizing the necessary engineering resources.....


Maybe there *IS* hope for a C7 ZR1........

 

[elegant]

This transmission will give GM a nice fuel mileage increase for 2015, as autos make up about 2/3's of all Corvette sales. And, great advertising bragging rights, e.g. 455 HP with 30 MPG highway!

 

[mjw930]

Hmmmm...thought I recall reading Tadge saying this most likely wasn't going to happen until MY2016 due to all the recalibration work needed, and efforts focused on the Z06 utilizing the necessary engineering resources.....


Maybe there *IS* hope for a C7 ZR1........

He did and I wouldn't beat on him too much. For all we know it was him politicking to get more staff to do all the work corporate wanted done. It's quite possible at the time of the Detroit auto show they were undecided whether to spend the money on the change. I suspect EPA numbers drove a lot of this as the A6 loses 1 MPG to the manual and every MPG counts, especially in 2015 and 2016.

What really pisses me off (not really "pissed off" but frustrated) is I had become comfortable ordering a 2014 for June delivery believing the A8 wouldn't be available until later in the 2015 run, possibly as late as 2016 based on Tadge's comments and talking to multiple dealers. Now this is making me rethink my position. My counter point to the internal argument I'm having with myself is I would want to see reviews and have a chance to drive a C7 with the A8 before I made the final decision. So, since it really comes down to having a C7 in June or probably waiting till late fall, early winter for a 2015 A8 I'm sticking with the 2014 M7. It's tough being me

 

[smajicek]

He did and I wouldn't beat on him too much. For all we know it was him politicking to get more staff to do all the work corporate wanted done. It's quite possible at the time of the Detroit auto show they were undecided whether to spend the money on the change. I suspect EPA numbers drove a lot of this as the A6 loses 1 MPG to the manual and every MPG counts, especially in 2015 and 2016.

What really pisses me off (not really "pissed off" but frustrated) is I had become comfortable ordering a 2014 for June delivery believing the A8 wouldn't be available until later in the 2015 run, possibly as late as 2016 based on Tadge's comments and talking to multiple dealers. Now this is making me rethink my position. My counter point to the internal argument I'm having with myself is I would want to see reviews and have a chance to drive a C7 with the A8 before I made the final decision. So, since it really comes down to having a C7 in June or probably waiting till late fall, early winter for a 2015 A8 I'm sticking with the 2014 M7. It's tough being me

MJW930, I feel your frustration because I also wanted to wait for the 8 speed and after hearing it won't be here till 2016 I said I am not going to wait that long... But look at it from this point of view, 30mpg compared to current 28 mpg you will only gain about 36 more mile per tank that's chump change......

 

[elegant]

This change, to now saying "yes" for the eight speed for the '15 StingRay is a surprise. However, know Tadge and he is a straight shooter, does not play games, and believe this positive change is not as a result of his earlier "fishing" for more staff, nor his being devious to us previously.

Understand that this is a wrench thrown into the spokes for "mjw930" and others in the same boat, now reconsidering based whether to wait for the '15 because of this positive new news.

 

[rdslon01]

I am absolutely not surprised.

There are many posts here where, from a corporate standpoint, I argued about:
-reduced cost of manufacturing for only one automatic transmission instead of two, and
-even more importantly, reduced cost of the product lifecycle to retire the A6 sooner (stocking repair parts until the end of the last service date is something we HATE having to do here in the computing hardware business because it is so expensive).

Also, the A8 has been in development for many, many years, so I surmised that they were almost finished with everything (including the final tunes) earlier this year, but figured they hit a slight last-second problem. They were then faced with big questions since they could not hit their planned roll out to the first of the MY 2015 to be built (which probably was originally planned for June or early July at the latest). They probably thought about punting the A8 for the StingRay until later (2016?), but, because of the cost of waiting, upper management bean counters pushed the start of the 2015 production to August. To me, pushing the start of production of the 2015 to August was THE big tell that the 2015 would get the A8.

I guess it turns out that automobile R&D schedules/manufacturing/operations/stocking service parts is not so different from supercomputers and high performance server clusters. I am glad it wasn't all just in my head causing me to believe it just because I wanted it to be true.

Now, I just hope this A8 is as awesome and reliable in the long term as the A6 apparently was.

 

[rdslon01]

Hmmmm...thought I recall reading Tadge saying this most likely wasn't going to happen until MY2016 due to all the recalibration work needed, and efforts focused on the Z06 utilizing the necessary engineering resources.....


Maybe there *IS* hope for a C7 ZR1........

If I were a betting person, I would bet engineering wanted to push to 2016 when they hit a last-second integration problem, but the bean counters said, "No, we are a for-profit business: you cannot build new 2015 Corvettes with the A6. Make it happen." The solution was to push the start of the 2015 model year build to August.

I have seen such push/pull from engineering and the bean counters play out many times in the computer hardware business.

 

[rdslon01]

He did and I wouldn't beat on him too much. For all we know it was him politicking to get more staff to do all the work corporate wanted done. It's quite possible at the time of the Detroit auto show they were undecided whether to spend the money on the change. I suspect EPA numbers drove a lot of this as the A6 loses 1 MPG to the manual and every MPG counts, especially in 2015 and 2016.

What really pisses me off (not really "pissed off" but frustrated) is I had become comfortable ordering a 2014 for June delivery believing the A8 wouldn't be available until later in the 2015 run, possibly as late as 2016 based on Tadge's comments and talking to multiple dealers. Now this is making me rethink my position. My counter point to the internal argument I'm having with myself is I would want to see reviews and have a chance to drive a C7 with the A8 before I made the final decision. So, since it really comes down to having a C7 in June or probably waiting till late fall, early winter for a 2015 A8 I'm sticking with the 2014 M7. It's tough being me

I am in much the same boat as you. My plan was to wait until after the Bash to determine if I would go with my 2014 order, or wait for a 2015. I am surprised this news was announced now instead of at the Bash.

The one down-side to the A8 is that I would not be surprised if they have growing pains with it when they hit full-blown production volume. This is especially true since it is almost guaranteed that they did hit a hiccup in the last of the integration/calibration stages earlier this year. Being a "Beta" tester, so to speak, with the first MY 2015 might be painful for some. I still might pull the trigger on my 2014...

Decisions, decisions...

 

[rdslon01]

MJW930, I feel your frustration because I also wanted to wait for the 8 speed and after hearing it won't be here till 2016 I said I am not going to wait that long... But look at it from this point of view, 30mpg compared to current 28 mpg you will only gain about 36 more mile per tank that's chump change......

Steve, if you look back later, you might be happy with your A6 if the A8 goes through some growing pains in the first of the 2015. Your A6 is very well-proven, and extremely reliable for the long-term. Many early 2015 A8 owners may end up envying you and your A6.

 

[rdslon01]

This change, to now saying "yes" for the eight speed for the '15 StingRay is a surprise. However, know Tadge and he is a straight shooter, does not play games, and believe this positive change is not as a result of his earlier "fishing" for more staff, nor his being devious to us previously.

Understand that this is a wrench thrown into the spokes for "mjw930" and others in the same boat, now reconsidering based whether to wait for the '15 because of this positive new news.

Hi John,

I would say he was completely honest. He DEFINITELY seems that way. I am sure cost was also a big factor of why corporate GM told Corvette they had to do it. I am in engineering and know that the bean counters many times win the trade-offs in the corporate world instead of the engineers.

 

[mjw930]

John,

My comments were never to insinuate that Tadge isn't a straight shooter and to his credit he never said, "No" when asked the question. However, he's a corporate executive, he MUST play politics regardless how great a person he is. Think about how much time has elapsed since the Detroit show and it's obvious priorities were shifted, breakthroughs were made and plans changed.

If I search back through all the threads on the A8 I believe I was one of the first who said it made no sense NOT to have the A8 in the 2015's. The units were announced, they we in production and they had a specific design already done for the Corvette chassis. It was only after Detroit and Tadge's remarks AND me talking to 3 high placed Corvette sales people (Number 2, 3 and 5 in sales nationwide) that I accepted the A8 wasn't in the cards for the 2015 Stingray.

Now that's changed but I don't think I'll be delaying my order. I don't want the A8 because it's a better automatic, I want the A8 if it's the better TRANSMISSION. By that I mean it improves the performance of the C7 within it's entire performance envelope, straight line, track, economy and comfort beyond ANY transmission offered. In fact, the ONLY thing that even has me considering a car with 2 pedals is how well the Porsche PDK performs. THAT is the standard the A8 needs to meet or exceed before I would ever consider it.

 

[rdslon01]

If I search back through all the threads on the A8 I believe I was one of the first who said it made no sense NOT to have the A8 in the 2015's. The units were announced, they we in production and they had a specific design already done for the Corvette chassis.

Mark, I remember that you did say it, even before I did.

My price-protected order was for the M7, but since then my loving wife has looked into the crystal ball and told me that an automatic is in my future. So, for me, it is just a question of the A6 or A8.

And I am thinking it will be an A8 with the PDR.

 

[zimm888]

Sure the 8 speed will be great, but is it worth the weight and additional cost, your decision. I definetly couldn't wait any longer than I did and am certainly not complaining about the 6 speed, I have no problems or disappointments with my car so far.

 

[rdslon01]

Actually the eight speed weighs less, if I remember well.

However, there is no doubt the A6 is fantastic!

 

[mjw930]

Actually the eight speed weighs less, if I remember well.

However, there is no doubt the A6 is fantastic!

I understand not wanting to post something that might upset a forum member but let's get real, the A6 is far from a fantastic transmission, especially for a sports car. It's good, compared to most torque converter based boxes but it's reaction time (going up and down the gears) and heat generation leave a lot to be desired. Maybe in a straight line such as in a drag race it works well but as a track vehicle or for spirited technical driving it's adequate at best.

 

[Redc7]

One possible factor is moving up the date for the 8-speed is the fact the 2015's were pushed out to Aug. If they stuck with the original release of June the 8-speed may not have been ready and GM might not had wanted to introduce the new 8-speed part way thru a model year. The other is the manufacture may have said at one point they couldn't ramp in time for the 2015 or or had an issue that has since been resolved.

 

[mjross]

I understand not wanting to post something that might upset a forum member but let's get real, the A6 is far from a fantastic transmission, especially for a sports car. It's good, compared to most torque converter based boxes but it's reaction time (going up and down the gears) and heat generation leave a lot to be desired. Maybe in a straight line such as in a drag race it works well but as a track vehicle or for spirited technical driving it's adequate at best.

You act like everybody tracks these cars, B.S. Most people drive them because they are a fine crusier. All this ........ over how great the A8 is makes me sick. The average person that buys this car is not immediately going to the track. I have a friend that has an 8 speed auto in thinks it sucks. The damn thing is always searching for gears. I do not know what it is in human nature that makes a person feel that they need to get on another persons case on such issues as transmission selection, but you know what, get over yourself! Buy what you like and don't put down the other person for their decision. Every body does not think and feel the way you do. The people on this forum that are trying to make the people that purchased the A6 feel like they blew it because they did not wait for thr A8 need to grow up. This is not high school. Or maybe it is.

Peace,

Mj

 

[Vigilance247]

I visited bowling green last week and went on the plant tour. Our tour guide read from her note card that the 2015 Z06 will have the A8. I asked about the stingray and she repeated what was on her note card.


Sent from my iPhone using Corvette Stingray Forum

 

[mjw930]

Sorry MJ,

I didn't mean to upset you and I certainly never meant to imply anyone made a mistake buying the A6 instead of waiting for the A8.

However, there is an entire new group of buyers who WILL track their cars and/or WILL use them for things other than cruising or car shows. Those people, me included, can buy and have owned a number of other brand cars but are buying a C7 because it performs on par with AND provides a level of sophistication we get from it's competition, just at a significantly lower cost (aside from the fact it's drop dead gorgeous). I doubt that many of this crossover demographic ordered an A6. If the A8 is as good as it's implied to be it's quite possible that will change and Chevrolet will capture even more conquest sales. I know of at least 2 people who purchased another brand because they didn't want a manual but didn't want a Corvette with the A6. One bought a Porsche, the other bought a Jag F-Type. You can argue all you want that they missed out but all that matters is they DID NOT buy a C7 because of the available automatic trans.

Also, I don't know what other car your friend owns but I've driven the ZF 8 speed in the Chrysler SRT products, Mercedes AMG and the Jaguar F-Type and when paired with a high torque motor it doesn't hunt for gears. When paired with a high revving, low torque motor then yes, there will be some gear hunting as the programming attempts to keep it in the most optimal RPM range. If GM is targeting the Porsche PDK then they have set their sites beyond the ZF, which is a good thing.

BTW, I was told the C7 team looked hard at the ZF but due to a number of things, not the least of which was the bankruptcy, it was decided to leverage the internal development already underway within GM.

Again, I obviously have different expectations for MY C7 but I've NEVER criticized anyone for THEIR choice in C7 options.