New York 2014: Corvette Stingray to get eight-speed automatic

The 2015 Corvette Stingray will feature a modified version of the eight-speed gearbox that will be offered on the supercharged Corvette Z06. It will feature different clutch and torque converter specifications to match the Stingray's naturally-aspirated 6.2-litre V8.

The company claims that this new unit will improve efficiency by up to 5 percent over the six-speed auto. The new gearbox is also roughly 4kg lighter thanks to the extensive use of weight saving materials like aluminium and magnesium. GM also claims that upshifts are upto eight-hundredths of a second quicker than the dual-clutch transmission offered on the Porsche 911. The 2015 Stingray will come with paddle shifts as well.

Bill Goodrich, assistant chief engineer for the eight-speed automatic transmissions said, “It was designed to enhance the Stingray’s driving experience, with performance on par with dual-clutch designs, but without sacrificing refinement.”