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GM's New 9-Speed Transmission - How Does It Stack Up?


Gorehamj

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John Goreham
Contributing Writer, GM-Trucks.com
12-6-2016

Chevrolet announced that its new 9-speed automatic transmission will debut on the 2017 Chevy Malibu 2.0-Turbo, in the Cruze Diesel for '17, and then the Equinox Diesel will also get the new transmission for 2018 when it is ready. So far, Chevy has only qualified the new Chevy Malibu with the 9-speed so we have compared that car to its peers to see how the new transmission will help the Malibu in this very competitive segment.

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First, the intangibles. Chevy says (and we believe) that the new transmission's first gear contributes to better off-the-line performance. Quickness is not a high priority for most midsize sedan buyers, but remember, Chevy is pairing the most powerful Malibu it makes with the new 9-speed. This car will compete with the Honda Accord V6, which uses an automatic 6-speed and offers an optional manual 6-speed. The Accord is a fast car thus equipped and having tracked that car, we can tell you it is surprisingly fun to toss around.

 

By moving to the turbo engine and 9-speed the 33 MPG Highway / 26 MPG Combined 2017 Malibu could have matched up well with the 33 MPG Highway and 25 MPG combined the Honda Accord V6 Auto 6AT currently produces. The Nissan Altima with its V6 engine and CVT transmission earns a 32 MPG highway rating and a 26 MPG Combined rating. We say "could have" because the 2017 Malibu is rated with Premium fuel, not the regular that the V6 Accord and Altima use. The 250 hp of the Malibu 2.0T is also significantly less than the 278 hp the Accord offers and the 270 hp the Altima comes with. The Camry will be all-new for next year and its drivetrains are expected to change so we left it out of this comparison.

 

When matched with the diesels Chevy is about to launch, we expect big MPG numbers. However, for 2017, Chevy brings a new Malibu drivetrain that is down on power compared to its peers, only matches the current offerings mileage ratings, and uses more expensive fuel than its competitors.

 

Note: All MPG numbers in this story are the official numbers at www.fueleconomy.gov.

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More Cogs more problems 9-10 is enough for me! I mean from 10-15 is what 5% mpg gains????? Big deal I hope GM has a smooth shifting least beast! I would be in HOG HEAVEN for a CRUZE HATCH WHISPER DIESEL AND 9SPD!

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Turbo 4 equals fail. Every one that has replaced a V6 has a proverbial * or two. Premium fuel, either turbo lag or poor high rpm performance depending on the brand, less power, less refined, shorter life span, etc.

 

Accord owner here, and it can be a rocket, it has been proven to be underrated by dyno results. The manual trans cars have put down like over 250 HP. And I got 34 mpg on a 200 Mile highway drive one way and 33 mpg on the way back.

 

But the rumors are pointing to Honda replacing the V6 with a 2.0T four in 2018. They are thinking around 300HP since it will similar to the Civic Type R engine. Honda fans are already ticked even though it's not official yet.

 

The sky is falling when the Camry is the only mid size car with a proper V6 engine offering. Oh wait, the Altima, but how much longer will Nissan keep the dinosaur VQ on life support?

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Maxima is more in league with the Camry. Altima.. is a .. fail. Had a place in the 90s and 2000s, but eh. So Maxi is back from the high leagues where it FAILED. Nissan needs to get their act together too.

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Premium fuel and less horsepower, they might as well stuck with a V6 for the Malibu.

 

Diesel is more expensive due to heavy federal taxes, not because it's premium. Diesel tends to be cheaper to produce than gas. And twice the torque of the V6, I'll take the diesel any day, thanks.

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Diesel is more expensive due to heavy federal taxes, not because it's premium. Diesel tends to be cheaper to produce than gas. And twice the torque of the V6, I'll take the diesel any day, thanks.

Who said anything about a diesel? I'm talking about the 4 cylinder gasser.
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Who said anything about a diesel? I'm talking about the 4 cylinder gasser.

 

Oh, that again? Really? Once again, you don't NEED premium in GM 4 bangers. They recommend it to reduce ping, and get better MPG. Second, You're spend for the premium would be much lower than you fear. Do the math, it's not that much. Last, why are you off topic? This thread was about diesels?

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Oh, that again? Really? Once again, you don't NEED premium in GM 4 bangers. They recommend it to reduce ping, and get better MPG. Second, You're spend for the premium would be much lower than you fear. Do the math, it's not that much. Last, why are you off topic? This thread was about diesels?

 

The article is about the Malibu 2.0 turbo as well, so hardly off topic, and I own a 2014 Cruze turbo and run premium 93 in it so I know the cost. Still doesn't make much sense to slap a turbo on something and complicate it more, require premium fuel, and still make less power than the V6 it replaced.

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