Chevrolet announced they are replacing the current six-speed automatic transmission in the Corvette Stingray with a home-grown eight-speed the 2015 modelyear. It is not a dual-clutch, but they say it rivals one in terms of smoothness and shift times. It is also more economical than the 6-speeder.

Designed and built by GM, the new 8-Speed automatic transmission is also used in the 2015 Corvette Stingray Z06 super car. It features a unique clutch system and torque convertor designed to matched the characteristics of Stingray’s LT1 6.2L naturally aspirated engine.

The new transmission offers excellent smoothness and refinement in automatic mode, and fast shifts in manual mode via the steering wheel-mounted paddles. GM engineers have worked very hard on this transmission, and so they are confident enough to compare it to Porsche 911’s brilliant PDK system. Wide-open throttle upshifts in GM’s 8-speed are in fact eight-hundredths of a second quicker than those of the PDK. GM says nothing about the downshifts.

The new eight-speed automatic is more compact than the obsolete six-speed, and thanks to extensive use of aluminum and magnesium in its construction, it is also eight pounds, or 4 kg, lighter. What’s more, smaller steps between gears help it work more efficiently, thus improving fuel economy by 5 percent.

Most of the Stingray’s rivals have 7 and 8-speed transmission these days. It would be embarrassing for the ‘Vette to continue with that terrible old six-speed unit. Regardless of its technical advantages, the 8-speed is also good for the car’s image.