Corvette to Get Sequential 6-Speed Automatic
08-31-2004, 11:27 AM
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Corvette to Get Sequential 6-Speed Automatic
Corvette to Get Sequential 6-Speed Automatic
By Peter Robinson
WardsAuto.com, Aug 26 2004
New “Tiptronic”-type automatic should be available on the ’06 Corvette.
Help is on the way for the new Corvette – specifically its carryover 4-speed automatic transmission.
Better automatic on way for new ’Vette.
The car’s current automatic, which lacks “Tiptronic”-like manual-shift capability, is one of the few real disappointments in the otherwise impressive new Corvette. (See related story: C6 Corvette Powers Up)
But not for long. General Motors Corp. Vice Chairman and chief product guru Bob Lutz admits a sequential 6-speeder is on the way, though he declines to specify timing.
“We don’t talk about future product,” says Lutz, who mostly talks only about future product.
GM’s all-new 6-speed automatic will be a derivative of the Hydramatic 5L50-E sequential-shift 5-speed that is standard in the Cadillac XLR roadster. It will be built in four sizes accommodating up to 520 lb.-ft. (705 Nm) of torque and 450 hp. It brings a 7% performance improvement over the new car’s current 4L60/65 automatic, while hiking fuel economy 4%.
The new 6-speed automatic is expected in late 2005, for the ’06 model year. That is about when the Corvette joins the supercar ranks with the launch of a 500-hp, 7L Z06 version of the new model, which is scheduled to debut at the 2005 Detroit auto show. A new LS7 V-8 replaces the old 5.7L 405-hp LS6 as the highest-performance Corvette engine. Top speed jumps from the standard ’Vette’s 186 mph (299 km/h) to more than 200 mph (322 km/h).
“A German competitor (BMW AG) has just launched a complicated V-10,” Lutz says, “Our overhead-valve V-8 has the same power and performance, and only revs to 6,500 rpm.”
GM plans to start building the LS7 in its new Performance Build Center in Wixom, MI, beginning spring 2005. The $10 million facility has the capacity to make 15,000 high-performance engines per year.
By Peter Robinson
WardsAuto.com, Aug 26 2004
New “Tiptronic”-type automatic should be available on the ’06 Corvette.
Help is on the way for the new Corvette – specifically its carryover 4-speed automatic transmission.
Better automatic on way for new ’Vette.
The car’s current automatic, which lacks “Tiptronic”-like manual-shift capability, is one of the few real disappointments in the otherwise impressive new Corvette. (See related story: C6 Corvette Powers Up)
But not for long. General Motors Corp. Vice Chairman and chief product guru Bob Lutz admits a sequential 6-speeder is on the way, though he declines to specify timing.
“We don’t talk about future product,” says Lutz, who mostly talks only about future product.
GM’s all-new 6-speed automatic will be a derivative of the Hydramatic 5L50-E sequential-shift 5-speed that is standard in the Cadillac XLR roadster. It will be built in four sizes accommodating up to 520 lb.-ft. (705 Nm) of torque and 450 hp. It brings a 7% performance improvement over the new car’s current 4L60/65 automatic, while hiking fuel economy 4%.
The new 6-speed automatic is expected in late 2005, for the ’06 model year. That is about when the Corvette joins the supercar ranks with the launch of a 500-hp, 7L Z06 version of the new model, which is scheduled to debut at the 2005 Detroit auto show. A new LS7 V-8 replaces the old 5.7L 405-hp LS6 as the highest-performance Corvette engine. Top speed jumps from the standard ’Vette’s 186 mph (299 km/h) to more than 200 mph (322 km/h).
“A German competitor (BMW AG) has just launched a complicated V-10,” Lutz says, “Our overhead-valve V-8 has the same power and performance, and only revs to 6,500 rpm.”
GM plans to start building the LS7 in its new Performance Build Center in Wixom, MI, beginning spring 2005. The $10 million facility has the capacity to make 15,000 high-performance engines per year.
08-31-2004, 01:21 PM
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Re: Corvette to Get Sequential 6-Speed Automatic
Awesome news. Hopfully the GTO gets that tranny for 2006 too because it needs it.
Since it can handle 520 lb.-ft. of torque, I'd expect it to be an option on the CTSv
Since it can handle 520 lb.-ft. of torque, I'd expect it to be an option on the CTSv
08-31-2004, 01:35 PM
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Re: Corvette to Get Sequential 6-Speed Automatic
Originally Posted by Big Als Z
...“We don’t talk about future product,” says Lutz, who mostly talks only about future product...
The exact day Chevy's new performance coupe has a name, he'll likely be the person you'll hear it from 1st.
08-31-2004, 08:38 PM
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Re: Corvette to Get Sequential 6-Speed Automatic
Originally Posted by Z28x
Awesome news. Hopfully the GTO gets that tranny for 2006 too because it needs it.
Since it can handle 520 lb.-ft. of torque, I'd expect it to be an option on the CTSv
Since it can handle 520 lb.-ft. of torque, I'd expect it to be an option on the CTSv
08-31-2004, 11:06 PM
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Re: Corvette to Get Sequential 6-Speed Automatic
Originally Posted by Big Als Z
I know that the Zeta GTO will get the 6spd auto, but dont think we will see it next year.
Ignore this if its inside information...
09-01-2004, 02:26 PM
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Re: Corvette to Get Sequential 6-Speed Automatic
GM, this time around with the new trans, how about providing transmisions that are more than adequate for the tasks, rather than barely adequate? (the 4L60e's come in mind)
09-01-2004, 10:19 PM
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Re: Corvette to Get Sequential 6-Speed Automatic
They make it sound like it's going to get an SMG ala BMW, but it sounds like another "sport shift"
Better than nothing, though. And the fuel economy improvement should be nice.
Better than nothing, though. And the fuel economy improvement should be nice.
09-02-2004, 02:10 PM
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Re: Corvette to Get Sequential 6-Speed Automatic
Originally Posted by RoMaD
I didn't realize there were that many Vette owners in San Fancisco? 
Actually for 2004 model year 63 percent of sales were automatics. http://www.jimstudnicki.com/index.php?p=133
And if you subtract the Z06 because it didn't have an auto option then 76% of Coupes and Verts had an automatic.
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