On the surface, +Tadge Juechter looks like a winner. After all, he spends his time these days bragging about new Z06 version of C7 that will be including another pinnacle of +General Motors technology advancement. The short version of the cover story: an economical alternative to pricey DCT type of transmission competitors like Porsche and BMW have been using for quite a few years now.
In reality: the new transmission is another sorry attempt at polishing an obsolete turd, just like with OHV engine configuration and claims of its superiority over OHC competitors.
Just like with OHV engine configuration, the design limits have been reached for conventional automatic transmissions using torque convertors and this happened a few years ago. The unnecessary complexity of the new design shows this part quite well, dual pumps mean twice as much chance for things to wrong with this transmission, just like they already do with the new differential turd and the eLSD convoluted option.
The unpleasant truth is that due to ZERO R&D monies, anything that happens to Corvette these days is just another turd polishing attempt.
Yes, Tadge Juechter can pass his time claiming how competitive the new LT1 engine is when compared to OHC engines everyone else (except for Chrysler) is using but the presence of AFM, power robbing DI and steel torque tube speak otherwise.
The new 8-speed 8L90 transmission is not any different. Apparently it shifts faster than DCT transmissions? Well, that is yet to be seen and like with other claims Juechter has already made (rigidity, aerodynamics, etc.) the actual proof may be never provided.
The reality of the new transmission is that it is still a very inefficient design using torque converter. No matter how anyone slices it, it cannot compete with a dual clutch design. Yes, General Motors tried to improve the design, dual pumps and two clutches at the time but in the end, the efficiency is still not there and just more things to go wrong. And like with AFM, the fuel saving measures will severely cut into performance of any car that will use this turdy transmission.
Hopefully, there will be plenty of General Motors flavored kool aid to keep the masses fooled. So far, outside of the limited number of expected nut hugging enthusiasts, the new car is not endangering Porsche and BMW sales.
Well I don't like porsches, beamers or any of the euro cars, except for say a bugatti veyron. Not into the J-cars either.
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