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When the 2011 Chevrolet Cruze goes on sale later this year, 75 percent of the Chevrolet brand’s vehicles will offer six-speed transmissions, according to General Motors.
GM states that six-speed automatics are smoother, more responsive, and offer up to 4 percent better fuel economy than traditional four-speed automatics. The 2010 Chevy Malibu, for example, gets 33 mpg highway when equipped with an Ecotec 2.4 liter inline four and six-speed automatic transmission while the popular 2010 Chevy Camaro gets 29 mpg highway with its direct-injection 3.6-liter V-6 mated with either a six-speed automatic or manual transmission. And the Chevrolet Cruze Eco, which will arrive standard with a six-speed manual, delivers a staggering 40 mpg highway while also being able to go from zero to 60 mph in less than 10 seconds.
Notes Mark Gilmore, global engineering director for manual transmissions, “Six-speed transmissions inherently offer increased flexibility over 4- or 5-speed transmissions to fine tune the gear ratios to specific engine characteristics and vehicle performance targets. In the case of the Cruze Eco, we have developed a unique combination of speed gear ratios and a final drive ratio that provide very good vehicle launch and low-speed performance along with three overdrive speeds (fourth, fifth and sixth) which enable excellent highway fuel economy and passing performance.”
Chevrolet full six-speed transmission fleet includes:
1. Chevrolet Avalanche Standard six-speed automatic
2. Chevrolet Camaro Standard six-speed manual, available six-speed automatic
3. Chevrolet Cruze Standard six-speed manual, available six-speed automatic
4. Chevrolet Corvette Standard six-speed manual, available six-speed automatic
5. Chevrolet Equinox Standard six-speed automatic
6. Chevrolet Express Available six-speed automatic
7. Chevrolet Malibu Standard six-speed automatic
8. Chevrolet Silverado Available six-speed automatic
9. Chevrolet Silverado HD Standard six-speed automatic
10. Chevrolet Suburban Standard six-speed automatic
11. Chevrolet Tahoe Standard six-speed automatic
12. Chevrolet Traverse Standard six-speed automatic
Source: General Motors
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