DETROIT <\/b>\u2013 Cadillac advances its legacy of technologically driven performance and luxury with the Hydra-Matic 8L45 paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission, which debuts with the all-new 2016 Cadillac CT6.<\/p>\n
Matched with the next-generation 3.6L V-6<\/b><\/a>, the 8L45 transmission is based on the same acclaimed General Motors-designed eight-speed automatic family introduced on the Corvette Stingray \u2013 with the higher-capacity 8L90 version paired with the CT6\u2019s available 3.0L twin-turbo V-6 engine<\/b><\/a>.<\/p>\n \u201cThe shift performance of the new 8L45 paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission complements the CT6\u2019s new threshold for efficient luxury to help take it to an even higher level,\u201d said Bill Goodrich, assistant chief engineer for eight-speed automatic transmissions. \u201cThe shifts are quick and nearly imperceptible, establishing a benchmark for Cadillac.\u201d<\/p>\n The 8L45 eight-speed shares the architecture and design features of the Hydra-Matic 8L90 transmission, but it is scaled and calibrated for the performance envelope of the new 3.6L V-6. It also incorporates components to support the engine\u2019s stop\/start technology.<\/p>\n Stop\/start shuts down the engine to reduce fuel consumption when vehicle comes to a complete stop, and it automatically restarts the engine when the driver takes his or her foot off the brake pedal.<\/p>\n In addition to stop\/start efficiency, the 8L45 eight-speed\u2019s wide 7.0 overall ratio and numerically lower top gear offer an up to a GM estimated 5 percent fuel economy benefit over a comparable six-speed automatic transmission.<\/p>\n A numerically higher 4.62 first gear ratio also helps drivers start off more confidently, with a greater feeling of immediate performance.<\/p>\n \u201cThe 8L45 was designed to enhance the CT6\u2019s driving experience, offering a strong balance between performance and efficiency,\u201d said Goodrich. \u201cPerhaps its best attribute will be that customers really won\u2019t notice it \u2013 they\u2019ll simply enjoy the CT6\u2019s seamless, smooth driving experience and on-demand performance.\u201d<\/p>\n Compact, mass-efficient design<\/b> The new 8L45\u2019s smaller package size enables approximately 33 pounds (15 kg) mass saving compared to the 8L90 eight-speed \u2013 a transmission that was already lighter than GM\u2019s 6L80 six-speed automatic.<\/p>\n Smaller steps between gears, compared to a six-speed transmission, keep the engine within its optimal rpm range, making the most of its horsepower and torque to optimize performance and efficiency.<\/p>\n Ratios compared: Hydra-Matic 8L45 vs. 8L90<\/b><\/p>\n Additionally, friction-reducing design features \u2013 including synthetic fluid \u2013 and lower spin losses via a powerflow that uses only two open clutches per gear and an off-axis binary vane pump contribute further to efficiency.<\/p>\n The torque converter design with turbine damper enhances refinement, particularly during low-speed gear changes, for smoother performance.<\/p>\n Architectural features<\/b> Architectural highlights include:<\/p>\n The Hydra-Matic 8L45 and 8L90 transmissions are built at GM\u2019s Toledo, Ohio, and Silao, Mexico, transmission facilities. They will also be offered in the 2016 Cadillac CTS and ATS, including CTS-V<\/i> and ATS-V<\/i>.<\/p>\n <\/p>\n FAST FACT: In 1941, Cadillac was one of the first major automakers to offer a fully automatic transmission. That early Hydra-Matic transmission was also paired with Cadillac V-8 engines to drive M24 Chaffee tanks during World War II.<\/b><\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":" DETROIT \u2013 Cadillac advances its legacy of technologically driven performance and luxury with the Hydra-Matic 8L45 paddle-shift eight-speed automatic transmission, which debuts with the all-new 2016 Cadillac CT6. Matched with the next-generation 3.6L V-6, the 8L45 transmission is based on … Continue reading
\nWith four simple gearsets for optimal efficiency and five clutches (two brake clutches and three rotating clutches), creative packaging enables GM\u2019s eight-speed automatic to fit the same space as the previous six-speed automatic, with a lower weight.<\/p>\n\n\n
\n \nType:<\/td>\n 8L45 eight-speed automatic<\/td>\n 8L90 eight-speed automatic<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n Gear ratios (:1)<\/td>\n <\/td>\n <\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 First:<\/td>\n 4.62<\/td>\n 4.56<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Second:<\/td>\n 3.04<\/td>\n 2.97<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Third:<\/td>\n 2.07<\/td>\n 2.08<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fourth:<\/td>\n 1.66<\/td>\n 1.69<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Fifth:<\/td>\n 1.26<\/td>\n 1.27<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Sixth:<\/td>\n 1.00<\/td>\n 1.00<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Seventh:<\/td>\n 0.85<\/td>\n 0.85<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Eighth:<\/td>\n 0.66<\/td>\n 0.65<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n \u00a0\u00a0\u00a0\u00a0 Reverse:<\/td>\n 3.93<\/td>\n 3.82<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n
\nMore than 1,100 computer-aided engineering analyses were made during the development of the Hydra-Matic eight-speed transmission family \u2013 resulting in more than two dozen patents \u2013 to ensure strength, durability, performance and refinement.<\/p>\n\n
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\n <\/td>\n 8L45 eight-speed automatic<\/b><\/td>\n 8L90 eight-speed automatic<\/b><\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2016 CT6<\/td>\n 2.0L Turbo I-4 and 3.6L V-6<\/td>\n 3.0L Twin Turbo V-6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2016 CTS & CTS-V<\/i><\/td>\n 2.0L Turbo I-4 and 3.6L V-6<\/td>\n 6.2L Supercharged V-8<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n \n 2016 ATS & ATS-V<\/i><\/td>\n 2.5L, 2.0L Turbo I-4 and 3.6L V-6<\/td>\n 3.6L Twin Turbo V-6<\/td>\n<\/tr>\n<\/tbody>\n<\/table>\n