Photo: GM
For the 2018 model year, the Ford Mustang is slated to get the same 10-speed automatic transmission as the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. Developed by Ford and General Motors as a joint effort, the tranny will use each automaker’s own control software.
Speaking to Automotive News, the Ford chief engineer of transmission, driveline components, and pre-programing engineering made it crystal clear: “We [Ford and General Motors] will each use our own control software to ensure that each transmission is carefully matched to the individual, brand-specific vehicle DNA for each company," explained Craig Renneker.
In a manner of speaking, the tranny is mechanically similar, while the electronic brain will be specific to each and every FoMoCo and GM application. Hence, the 2018 Ford Mustang and 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will use the same 10-ratio cog swapper, yet totally different software for the control module. Most probably, each carmaker will also calibrate each ratio as it deems fit for each application, be it pony car, pickup truck or something else.
The Ford 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission will also be employed by the 2017 Ford F-150, including the dune-tramping Raptor. In the case of the GM Hydra-Matic, the tranny is slated to aid the light-duty Chevrolet Silverado’s fuel economy and towing capabilities.
Gale Halderman, the man responsible for the exterior design of the first-generation Mustang, is surprised by this collaboration between Ford and GM. “Back in my time, we couldn't even talk to anybody from GM." Then again, the pony car war was at its boiling point back in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The industry, however, is a-changing, as is the American pony car.
The big question, however, is which Mustang and Camaro models will get the all-new transmission? The Camaro, for example, already comes with an optional 8-speed auto. The Mustang, on the other hand, can’t do better than a 6-speeder. In my opinion, the Mustang GT needs the 10-speed the most if it wants to stay competitive in the eyes of the Camaro. In the GM stable, the biggest of the Big Three in Detroit Motor City made it clear that the new unit will be introduced in “eight vehicle models” by the end of 2018.
In a manner of speaking, the tranny is mechanically similar, while the electronic brain will be specific to each and every FoMoCo and GM application. Hence, the 2018 Ford Mustang and 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 will use the same 10-ratio cog swapper, yet totally different software for the control module. Most probably, each carmaker will also calibrate each ratio as it deems fit for each application, be it pony car, pickup truck or something else.
The Ford 10R80 10-speed automatic transmission will also be employed by the 2017 Ford F-150, including the dune-tramping Raptor. In the case of the GM Hydra-Matic, the tranny is slated to aid the light-duty Chevrolet Silverado’s fuel economy and towing capabilities.
Gale Halderman, the man responsible for the exterior design of the first-generation Mustang, is surprised by this collaboration between Ford and GM. “Back in my time, we couldn't even talk to anybody from GM." Then again, the pony car war was at its boiling point back in the late 1960s and early 1970s. The industry, however, is a-changing, as is the American pony car.
The big question, however, is which Mustang and Camaro models will get the all-new transmission? The Camaro, for example, already comes with an optional 8-speed auto. The Mustang, on the other hand, can’t do better than a 6-speeder. In my opinion, the Mustang GT needs the 10-speed the most if it wants to stay competitive in the eyes of the Camaro. In the GM stable, the biggest of the Big Three in Detroit Motor City made it clear that the new unit will be introduced in “eight vehicle models” by the end of 2018.
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