The more speeds the merrier? Well, that’s what GM and Ford believe, as the two biggest automakers in North America joined forces for the development of a 10-speed automatic.
Speaking at a media event in the United States, General Motors’ global product chief, Mark Reuss, confirmed that the first car to get the new 10-speed gearbox will be the 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1.
The transmission will also be offered in seven other vehicles in the GM family, by 2018, and while Reuss didn’t disclose any further details, AutoNews reports that the rear-wheel drive gearbox was designed for “high-horsepower vehicles” and will likely be used in the Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Suburban, GMC Tahoe and some variants of the Chevy Silverado and GMC Sierra.
Developed together with Ford Motor Corp., the new 10-speed auto was announced three years ago and it is manufactured at the Romulus plant in Michigan, where GM invested $343 million, retooling the facility. The first Blue Oval model to adopt the gearbox will be the new F-150 Raptor, which will arrive this fall.
Besides the 10-speed auto, GM and Ford have also collaborated on developing a 9-speed auto, aimed towards front-wheel drive vehicles, and which should debut soon.
Note: 2017 Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 pictured
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