VE under the skin: gearing up

Is a four-speed automatic gearbox good enough in 2006? Clearly Holden thinks so, for that’s exactly what the volume-selling models of the VE range (Omega and Berlina) have to soldier on with -- at least in the medium term.

While the 195kW High Output Alloytec engine and L98 6.0-litre V8 get five and six-speed autos respectively, and in the face of multi-speed offerings from Ford and Mitsubishi, the base VE gets a recalibrated version of the existing GM 4L60E auto.

No favourite among automotive pundits, the US-built four-speeder has been significantly improved via extensive re-calibration work by Holden's powertrain engineers, says the company. It will have to be considerably better than the last incarnation -- especially given the emphasis on refinement for the rest of the car.

Next step up the ladder is another GM trannie -- the 5L40E auto fitted to the 195kW V6. Built in Strasbourg (France), the five-speed unit is again a recalibrated version of the unit already used in selected VZ models. It features Active Select, however, in VE guise 'manual' gearchanges are made at the lever rather than via steering-wheel paddles.

According to Holden both manual gearboxes have been extensively revised rather than just carried over from VZ.

The Aisin-sourced AY6 that features in the SV6 has had its gear lever length shortened and clutch travel reduced. Holden also claims transmission noise reductions in this model.

Meanwhile, the Tremec T56 six-speed manual that tames the 270kW V8s in the SS and SS V gets a more substantial rework. This includes shorter gear ratios (three to eight per cent overall), upgraded synchros (triple cone on 1-2 and double on 3-4-5-6), shorter shift and clutch travel and other detailed changes.

The only truly new gearbox to the VE range is the six-speed auto now fitted to V8 models. It’s a measure of the importance of the VE and its V8 halo models that this 'flagship' transmission made it into the new Commodore.

Previously only seen in Cadillac models and the latest Corvette, the electronically controlled six-speed 6L80E automatic transmission is built by GM in Ypsilanti, Michigan (USA). The gearbox features Active Select and the pattern will please purists -- to change down you push the lever forward, with up changes the opposite.

Though the gearbox/V8 combination did not fare as well as expected in Holden's fuel economy testing (see VE Economy story here), Holden's engineers are confident real world figures will be improved on the outgoing V8/four-speed auto pairing.

The 6L80E gets a short 4.03:1 first gear for good off-the-line acceleration while fifth and sixth gears are both overdriven for quiet cruising and better economy.