GM will release an 11-speed automatic transmission

25 May 2017

The Americans are developing "robot" with three clutches

GM and Honda are actively engaged in the development of an 11-speed automatic transmission, which will allow you to save up to 5% fuel. Such transmission may in the future become an integral part of the industry. For the sake of truth, we should clarify that today with all the tasks handle 8 - and 10-speed automatic and automated KP, because they are "smarter" than the old analogues. And it is on the box shouldered the task of reducing harmful emissions into the atmosphere, without cutting performance of the internal combustion engine, as by 2025 it is necessary to "meddle" in another frame of stricter standards on emissions.

Not so long ago a 6-speed box was considered the most advanced units on the background of its 4-speed automatic gearbox. But the pursuit of fuel economy, automakers have stepped up major to the increasing complexity of electronics and mechanics automatic transmission. Now there is an "arms race" between the brands, the type "who?". For example, Mercedes-Benz already offers 7 - and 9-speed automatic gearbox. What to say, even Porsche, which produces cars for which consumption is a secondary matter, and he created a 7-speed automatic transmission. At the same time, Ford, GM and Lexus equipped their models 10-step "automatic".

But where is the limit to the number of gears? According to the representative of Ford, Jim Centlivre speaking at the recent CTI Transmission Symposium: "the efficiency of the automatic transmission decreases when using more than 10 speeds." Don't agree with him Darrell Robinette, associate Professor Michigan Technological University and the "brain" occupied, together with GM, developing an 11-speed automatic transmission with a triple clutch transmission (TCT): "I agree, it seems that the 10 speed seems to be the limit, but remember that 10 years ago such thoughts were expressed in relation to the 6-speed automatic transmission. If it is possible to increase the amount of gear, why not?"

Robinette believes that TST will be able to work with 7-and 11-speed gearbox allowing you to shift gears without interrupting the flow of power. And, most importantly, it will not require major changes in the design of another part of the power unit. On the question of when the box "automatic" with 11 stages to go on sale, Robinette did not answer, citing the confidentiality of GM, but said that the concept has a huge potential in the long term, comparable to the DCT.