Kia unveils new eight-speed auto
New tranny said to benefit performance and efficiency and is lighter than current six-speederKia has released pictures, a video and full details of its all-new eight-speed automatic transmission it has created for its front-wheel drive line-up of vehicles.
Initially available on the large Cadenza sedan on sale in the US, the new eight-speed auto is said to be as compact as the firm's current six-speeder but 3.5kg lighter than the gearbox it replaces.
Promising better acceleration, quieter cruising and superior efficiency over the six-speed, the new transmission took four years to develop and saw Kia register 143 new patents.
Developed entirely in-house, the new gearbox joins Kia's existing eight-speed automatic it developed for rear-wheel drive applications.
To improve economy, engineers managed to significantly reduce the size of the oil pump, slashing power losses. Kia claims the new gearbox now has the smallest oil pump in its class.
On the highway eighth gear is claimed to be 34 per cent longer than the current sixth, making for more relaxed cruising.
Kia says the gearbox will be rolled out across all its global markets and used in a "number of mid-sized" front-wheel drive models, hinting the eight-speed could be destined for the recently launched Optima.
Watch the video for an even more in-depth, if dull, explanation of the benefits of Kia's new eight-speed transmission.
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