Chevrolet Shifts to Six-speed Transmissions for 2011 Model Year

The American car company finally decided to equip its passenger vehicles with 21st century six-speed transmissions. These transmissions offer better fuel economy and in-gear elasticity, which essentially translates into smoother acceleration and engine operation.

In this regard Chevrolet has prepared for its 2011 model year lineup improved six-speed manual and automatic transmissions. 12 models – this represents 75 percent of all Chevy cars, trucks, SUVs and crossovers - are set to receive the new six-speed automatic transmissions, meaning the American manufacturer will become a leader on the US car market in this regard.

“Our advanced six-speed transmissions offer customers wide-ranging benefits,” said Charlie Klein, Director, GM Global Mass, Energy and Aerodynamics, “including reduced cost of ownership, improved vehicle performance, lower CO2 emissions, and a lesser dependence on foreign oil. As such, the wide availability of six-speed transmissions is a real advantage for Chevrolet customers.”

As Chevrolet prepares to bring the new Cruze model on the American market in the third-quarter of 2010, the manufacturer hurries to announce fuel consumption figures of 40 mpg highway for a Cruze equipped with the six-speed manual transmission and says it also expects the Cruze Eco with automatic transmission to match that.

“Six-speed transmissions inherently offer increased flexibility over four- or five-speed transmissions to fine tune the gear ratios to specific engine characteristics and vehicle performance targets. In the case of the Cruze Eco, we have developed a unique combination of speed gear ratios and a final drive ratio that provide very good vehicle launch and low-speed performance along with three overdrive speeds (fourth, fifth and sixth) which enable excellent highway fuel economy and passing performance.”

The full list of 2011 model year vehicles from Chevy to receive the new transmissions includes:

1. Avalanche Standard six-speed automatic
2. Camaro Standard six-speed manual, available six-speed automatic
3. Cruze Standard six-speed manual, available six-speed automatic
4. Corvette Standard six-speed manual, available six-speed automatic
5. Equinox Standard six-speed automatic
6. Express Available six-speed automatic
7. Malibu Standard six-speed automatic
8. Silverado Available six-speed automatic
9. Silverado HD Standard six-speed automatic
10. Suburban Standard six-speed automatic
11. Tahoe Standard six-speed automatic
12. Traverse Standard six-speed automatic