Patent doc shows GM, SAIC working on 7-speed front-wheel-drive transmission
By Steph, 25 Mar, 2011. 0 Comments
Cadillac CTS-V Black Diamond Edition
A patent filing has confirmed that General Motors Co. and partner Shanghai Automotive Industry Corporation (SAIC) are developing a seven-speed front-wheel-drive transmission. There have been rumors that GM and SAIC were working on a dry dual-clutch transmission but both companies have not been addressing the speculations. The significant detail taken from the filing is that this is a seven-speed unit, the most number of gears ever used in a GM passenger car as well as being the company’s first dual-clutch transmission.
It’s likely that the new transmission and a new turbocharged and direct-injected small gasoline engine that will displace 1.0 or 1.5 liters (depending on application) are meant to work together since they were revealed at the same time. However, there are still questions swirling on what GM’s version of the DSG is capable of.
GM’s present front-wheel drive cars in the US are powered by engines between the 1.4-liter straight-four in the Cruze to the 3.6-liter V6 in models such as the Buick LaCrosse. Although the patent filing didn’t cite the dual-clutch’s torque capacity, it’s expected that it is designed for a small model.
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