2015 GM Trucks will get 8 speed Transmission

goducks10 wrote:

srt20 wrote:
I have an 8 speed, and it definitely does not hunt for gears.

Do you tow heavy with it?

I too have towed about 60% of its tow rating. It shifted when it needed to and stayed in there until that extra power wasn't needed. It also has manual gear control. It will not let you lug the engine, but it will let you hit the rev limiter.
The only time the TC is unlocked is when stopped or moving very slow. It's a much better trans than the trans of old. My bud has a 2012 3500 Denali duramax that I have driven a lot, loaded and empty. The 8-speed trans is very similar to his Allison as far as the way it acts. Obviously his engine is much stronger and the trans shifts much less, but put the 8-sp behind the big engines and I'm am positive the MAJORITY of people will prefer it. Always will have some haters.

The 8sp isn't using crazy OD ratios. It's similar to the 5 and 6 sp. But the first gear is much steeper, and it stays steeper up until about 5th or 6th.

I'm not saying it's the greatest innovation since sliced bread, but IMO it's a good step in the continual process of improvement. Yes I'm sure there will come a time when the limit has been reached. 8sp or maybe a 24sp, I don't know what that limit is.