Kia Motors has announced details of its new eight-speed automatic transmission (8AT). Engineered for use in front-wheel drive vehicles, the unit is making its debut in the 2017 Kia Cadenza – which premiered in March – before finding its way on to other mid-sized and larger front-wheel drive models. It will be standard fitment on Cadenza models equipped with a 3.3 litre V6 GDI engine.
Developed in-house by the Korean automaker, the unit has been under development since 2012. The company said that building an eight-speed gearbox for a front-wheel drive application was incredibly challenging, due to packaging constraints and the need to mount the transmission transversely, competing with the engine, suspension and auxiliary components for space under the bonnet.
The new transmission, which boasts no less than 143 patented new technologies in its design, occupies the same space as a conventional six-speed automatic transmission, and weighs 3.5 kg less. Performance highlights include smooth acceleration from standstill, improved fuel efficiency and NVH characteristics as well as more decisive acceleration at high speeds than an automatic transmission with fewer gears.
To improve the 8AT’s fuel economy, the automaker says it has significantly reduced the size of the oil pump – which is the main source of power loss in an automatic transmission – and simplified the structure of the valve body. Boasting the smallest oil pump of any production transmission in its class, the 8AT is able to use hydraulic oil more efficiently, distributing it evenly throughout the unit at all times.
The unit also features a direct control valve body to allow solenoid control of the clutch directly, rather than via several control valves, bringing the number of control valves from 20 to 12, resulting in quicker gear shifts, a more direct mechanical link to the engine and improved packaging.
Incorporating an additional clutch and gear over Kia’s existing 6AT, the ratio between the top gear and the lowest gear in the new transmission has been increased by 34% over the 6AT, resulting in greater fuel economy and improved NVH in higher gears as well as faster acceleration and climbing performance in lower gears.
GALLERY: 2017 Kia Cadenza
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Nissan Almera your 4 speed auto is 100% less than the Korean 8 speed auto transmission. Time to wake up.
Toyota Vios already woke up, coming soon with torque converter CVT with paddle shifters.
I have driven the CVT versions of the Vios & Yaris…
Seriously underpowered and super slow… There’s no feel and add to the drabness of the whole car. It sucks…
It might be more fuel saving but as with most CVTs… boring… A 6AT/DCT is a better proposition…
Looking for better quality but limited budget, kimchi is still acceptable lar. But don’t sell it. You get back nothing.
Whoa… Certainly wasnt expecting something like this from Kia. I thought Kia’s tech all came from Hyundai?
Kinda odd they would have the expertise to develop this themselves…
Whats so surprising? Kia alone sells more cars than Renault and Merc globally.
Well Sam Loo would say Toyota 17 year old (and counting) 4AT will beat the shit outta any Korean or Euro 8-10AT right?
Or Proton Punch CVT is the best GB in the world. Kampong abang kereta sdn bhd can outgun the Koreans anyday.
Nothing special with jepunis cars, now even p1 is more frugal.
Why compare an 8-speed to a 4-speed. That’s so unfair. If you want a fair fight, pitch this against the world’s first 8-speed gearbox featured in the LS460L 9 years ago.
Kia can makes it at 8 speeds inside this compact transmission, impressive. Hyundai-Kia is one of very few automakers develop their own transmission instead of taking the it from transmission makers such as Getrag, ZF, Aisin etc.
Nothing so impressive about that.
Nissan manufactures their own CVT gearbox. Nissan owns Jatco.
Honda manufactures their own gearbox all the time.
Toyota manufactures their own gearbox. Toyota owns Aisin.
Mazda manufactures their own gearbox.
Volkswagen manufactures their own DSG gearbox.
Only some European companies buy from others.
Please la…. avoid buying Kia/Hyundai. Technology sounds great but after 1/2 years, problem starts creeping up. my 2cent.
Please elaborate, ur 2cent is base on what? I’ve been using kia carens for 8 years n counting, and so far no major issue. Just my 2cent
Its great to have ambitions, but do Kia has the technical ability to match their unrealistic ambitions?
6 speed gearbox Kia already have so much problems, even the 4 speed also plenty of problems.
Now want to do 8 speed ah?
Kia boleh ka????
The 6 speed is an Aisin/Toyota box. How to check? Either look for the transmission serial number, or see the gear fluid type. Its T4 – Toyota’s recommended gear oil for 6speed transmissions. The older 4 speed were Mitsubishi – uses SP IV. The latest models are Hyundai-built 6-speed. SO far I’ve never heard of any problem or recall with any of those transmissions. Unlike VW and Toyota.
Adding something from experience and knowledge from serious automotive resources.
The Koreans are leading now, Hyundai-Kia in many aspects of the industry. While prices are now in parity with mainstream brands, the value offered is much higher. The build quality is right in between luxury and mainstream – at mainstream prices. Ford, Toyota, etc, can offer the same price but with lower quality finishings and esthetics. There is no question on tech, Koreans are leading on tech and durability. Compare with other industrial products, everything from construction to shipping, to smartphones, white goods, and specialty products. They have moved from lowest-cost choice to parity pricing with standards exceeding industry requirements.
Don’t get me wrong, no bias, in any case any purchase will still be compared to the competition if i ever to buy a Korean product. I use a very good quality China-made phone, not Korean, so China is also now producing quality products. Must consider that most products now are just assembly of components from different manufacturers. Which is why CHina smartphones can offer such quality as they just assemble an aluminium casing with high-quality Japanese/Korean LCD screens, processors and other components.
The impressive part of the Korean cars now is the evolution from low-cost market capture to high-quality value. It shows what can be done when you have a well-thought out and planned strategy and actively explore and think about what you should offer to the market and expand your offerings and focus on quality. I drive a first-batch Kia Forte and after 6 years, its still super reliable and the finishings have all held up. Even little things like the buttons and lettering on the radio.
I don’t have any doubts that this new 8-speed transmission will last for years as the current 6-speed. Though the 6 speed is a Aisin/Toyota box. Commendations to Hyundai-Kia, and Proton, just give up already, you will never be anything but a failure.
inb4 Sammy says new Perdana still have better RV than expensive kimchi cuz got jepunis DNA