Corvette Gets 8-Speed Automatic

General Motors Co. will offer an all-new 8-speed automatic transmission in the 2015 Corvette Stingray that is expected to boost the sports car's fuel efficiency about 5%.

The new 8L90 gearbox will replace the Stingray's current 6-speed automatic. The car's 6-speed manual transmission option will carry over unchanged.

The new transmission is based on the 8-speed automatic GM will offer in the supercharged 2015 Corvette Z06. But the 8L90's clutch and torque converter have been retuned to match the output of the naturally aspirated 6.2-liter V-8 in the Stingray LT1.

The transmission can be controlled manually with paddles on the steering wheel. GM says the 8L90 is as quick but smoother than dual-clutch units found in many supercars. The new gearbox occupies the same space as the current 6-speed gearbox but is about 4 kg (8.8 lbs) lighter.