Blame it on the cost cutters. GM has had plenty of time to get the production output up. The 6 speeds should be out and plentiful as options on EVERY RWD vehicle, if only as an extra cost option. GM knew it didn't have to get the 6 speeds out to beat CAFE so they decided not to on the better MPG trucks.

Its complete horse$hit!

 

I agree. Even if they don't have enough to make them standard, they should at least be a $500 option on the 6.0L trucks.

2008 CTS, STS, G8 and Holdens are getting the 6 speeds first so I guess that is more important.

 

I'm not sure about the new body styles but you only got the "heavy duty" 4l70e with the vortec max. The rest got the 4l60e/4l65e

 

Keep up the good work GM, see how many more buyers you can lose to Toyota

This is just one example of many posts I've read on the "other" boards.

In a society that has always thought that "bigger is better" and "more is better" there are NO excuses for not having the 6 speed for AT LEAST the 6.0L. Then maybe they could finally kill that damn power robbing torque management program.

Right now the GM truck to get would be the Sierra Denali

This transmission was co-developed with Ford, correct? So what fords have it or are getting it as well?

 

With a new 6 speed, its possible to have the shot gears equivalent of a 4.10/4speed down low, and still have the highway cruising final gear of a 3.73/4speed up top.


Plus, with an extra gear in the middle, you'll have less rpm drops, and probably can improve "in-city mpg" too... Not to mention cceleration and pulling performance can be generally improved, especially if they beef the 6 speed up so there's much less reliance for tq management.

Lots of potential for improvement in every aspect.

 

Was it? I remember hearing maybe a year or so ago that they had been working with Ford on a FWD 6-speed auto, but heard nothing about a RWD. Then again maybe they were working on both?

I also thought I heard that BMW was using GM's 6-speed auto for some of their RWD apps, but now I don't hear that anymore - what's the status on that?

 

My bad, it appears it was for cars:

http://wardsauto.com/ar/ford_gm_automatic/

http://www.answers.com/topic/gm-ford...c-transmission

Gear ratios:
1 2 3 4 5 6 R
4.484 2.872 1.842 1.414 1.000 0.742 2.88

Applications:
GM:
2007 Saturn Aura XR
2007 Pontiac G6 GTP
2007 Saturn Outlook
2007 GMC Acadia
2008 Buick Enclave

 

Nope, you're thinking of the FWD/AWD 6 speed auto. RWD 6 speed is all GM

BMW uses/used GMs 5 speed auto. I'm not sure if they are using any ofGM's 6 speed yet. They will in the BMW hybrids.

 

lack of six speed isn't enough for me to buy a Tundra over a Silverado. Plus Toyota only uses the 6 speed on the 5.7L trucks. The other trucks still use their old 5 speed. GM's 4 speed is good, its just the 6 speed is better. I'd want the 5.3L w/ AFM/DoD since it has class leading gas mileage and a good amount of power.

Plus if I really needed to haul a lot I'd get a GMC 2500 which comes with the 6 speed and 6.0L V8, cost less than a Tundra and can do much more.

 

As enthusists, that's how you and I see it. Toyota's ads are VERY effective. The average consumer may not see it like that.

I personally have no problems with the 4 speed series. They're excellent transmissions for everyday use. *IF* I could afford a new truck, it would be a 5.3L ex-cab z71.

Also, from personal experience, Toyota's 5 speed auto SUCKS. It hunts for gears constantly, lurches at stops, and is not "smooth and refined" as magazines have said it to be.

 

So much for me buying a new truck or SUV. A 6spd Auto would have pushed me into the showroom. The lack of one will keep out until the Camaro returns.

 

I think it would be more the opposite. To most non-enthusiasts is an automatic as just an automatic and don't know or care how many speeds it has. I know my G/F has no idea how many speeds her Aura has or that they offered a 4 and six speed.

Most just care about the end product. How it feels shifting and MPG

 

Think about it this way - Toyota's best selling combo in the Tundra is the 5.7L w/ 6-speed auto. It's available across the line in all configs and at a variety of equipment and price levels.

As it stands now, and as it appears will now continue for at least 2.5 years from the release date of the GMT-900s, if you want a 6-speed or a motor that is as if not more powerful than the Tundra 5.7, you HAVE to buy the Sierera Denai - a 40k+ dollar truck.

That just doesn't market well for GM.

Even if they want to play the 'we offer mostly comparable equipment for a little less money, and slightly better gas mileage, too' card... that's not what tends to really draw in the truck crowd. Well, I take that back, the less money thing might, but the gas mileage thing doesn't, and what REALLY draws the crowd is saying 'we give you superior specs for less money', not 'we give you lesser specs for less money'.

 

Maybe I worded that badly? If you're thinking about a new truck and Toyota is CONSTANTLY throwing commercials at you that show a faster more powerful truck than the competition and CONSTANTLY mention how "superior" a 6 speed automatic is, you don't think people will weigh that into where they'll head to go buy a truck?

Americans always want the newest, best techonlogy in their cars (for the most part) and even if you didn't know jack squat about cars, doesn't 6 gears sound a hell of a lot better than 4? If not, I'm sure a Toyota dealer would gladly explain why it's better. People don't just stop at GM and buy a truck, they shop around. As of last month, the tundra is on track to sell 200K per year.

GM dropped the ball on this hard core, and Toyota knows it. They're pushing the hell out of their "6 speed" "towing and torque" and "0-60" commercials.

Don't underestimate the power of TV and the internet American consumers aren't stupid.

 

Unfortunately I have to agree.

GM did drop the ball with this on their trannies. And I believe putting "allison" up for sale is another BAD mistake. (One of the only profitable divisions in NA).