I am confident in upgraded interiors coming from GM for Cadillac and I lov all their exterior styling, that leavs Caddy with one big area to catch up with, again, and that is powertrains. Cadillac had more than caught up in 2004 I thought but because thy seem to be half a generation behind the imports have passed them this year. 255 hp from the 3.6 was fine a 2 years ago, now it is very average, same thing with the northstar making 320 hp. 5 speed autos are goo, especially GMs since they are world class but they need to get with the 6 speeds. Here is what I think GM nds for Caddy and we pretty much now they are getting some with the dirct injection updrades on the 3.6. Im applying them to the 2.8, 3.6 and the 4.6 northstar... 2.8 should make 255 hp and 240 ftlbs 3.6 should make 310 hp and 285 ftlbs 4.6 should make 380 hp and 370 ftlbs All should be paired with 6 speed autos with 6 speed sticks being availabl for the v6s. This with the new CTS body style and a new intrior for the STS would really make the Caddys the standard of the world, again...

The new 6 spd autos should rectify most power problems. AFAIK, most of the time its just that the transmissions can't handle anymore power...I believe thats the case with the northstar...although I may be wrong.

If Mercedes is using 7 speed autos, then Cadillac should jump to 8. There is no reason they should be 2nd to anyone.

If Mercedes is using 7 speed autos, then Cadillac should jump to 8.  There is no reason they should be 2nd to anyone.

[post="28724"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

The cars would be slower with 8 gears. It would spend more time in between gears, than actually in a gear.

If Mercedes is using 7 speed autos, then Cadillac should jump to 8.  There is no reason they should be 2nd to anyone.

[post="28724"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I heard Lexus is developing an 8-speed. Dunno how reliable the source is though.

I heard Lexus is developing an 8-speed.  Dunno how reliable the source is though.

Hmmm...if Lexus is doing 8, then Cadillac should jump to 16 speeds... :)

I think it is reaching a point where people just assume a higher number means better for transmissions. There will be a maximum efficiency point. Six-speed auto is fine.

One for each cylinder of the Sixteen? B)

Yes, id like a 25speed manual please... yeah... close ratio.... i love killing my knee

Well... if you had 8 speeds, you wouldn't necessarily use them all in normal acceleration, just in low speed cruising. Maybe it would be like the 1->4 shift in the manual vette. Step on the 8-speed auto, and it goes 1->3->5 etc. Gently accelerate up to 40 km/h in a school zone and you get 1->2->3.

I am pretty sure you dont need 8 gears. If lexus is doing it, it is just so they can get praise of having the most cogs in one transmission. HEY GUYS WE JUST PUT A 100 SPEED AUTOMATIC IN OUR CARS. HOORAY, ALMOST ONE GEAR FOR EACH MPH!

God. This is getting ridiculous. Why do car companies need to keep adding on to their transmissions? Is a 7 or 8 speed transmission really necissary? Someone explain why more is better?

36-speed transmissions from Allison should be standard in the Cadillac line. </sarcasm> The only thing a 7-speed transmission does is highlight your engine's lack of power. Why is it that Chevy used to be able to race with 2-speed powerglides? I love my CTS, but it annoys me that it has to kick down out of 5th gear to get me up a slight incline at 55mph. My friend's '94 Roadmaster almost never kicks down going over the mountains at highway speed and that is a 4speed auto. I'm sure the 345 ft/lbs torque has something to do with it.

Stop it please 6speeds are enough. So what if MB has 7, it not a manual and no one ever use of those speeds anyway.

I am confident in upgraded interiors coming from GM for Cadillac and I lov all their exterior styling, that leavs Caddy with one big area to catch up with, again, and that is powertrains. 

Cadillac had more than caught up in 2004 I thought but because thy seem to be half a generation behind the imports have passed them this year. 

255 hp from the 3.6 was fine a 2 years ago, now it is very average, same thing with the northstar making 320 hp.  5 speed autos are goo, especially GMs since they are world class but they need to get with the 6 speeds.  Here is what I think GM nds for Caddy and we pretty much now they are getting some with the dirct injection updrades on the 3.6.  Im applying them to the 2.8, 3.6 and the 4.6 northstar...

2.8 should make 255 hp and 240 ftlbs

3.6 should make 310 hp and 285 ftlbs

4.6 should make 380 hp and 370 ftlbs

All should be paired with 6 speed autos with 6 speed sticks being availabl for the v6s.

This with the new CTS body style and a new intrior for the STS would really make the Caddys the standard of the world, again...

[post="28279"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

if the new AURA is getting a 3.6L w/ about 300 hp, it would make sense for the Cadillac version to get that/or better from the 3.6 too

if the new AURA is getting a 3.6L w/ about 300 hp, it would make sense for the Cadillac version to get that/or better from the 3.6 too

[post="32730"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Whoah, if the new Aura is getting a 300hp version of the 3.6, that has to be with a turbo. I just thought the Aura was going to get around 250hp from the 3.6L

if the new AURA is getting a 3.6L w/ about 300 hp, it would make sense for the Cadillac version to get that/or better from the 3.6 too

[post="32730"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Did I miss something. When was it ever said that the Aura would get 300HP out of the 3.6?! I dont' think so... :huh:

A few months back i recall reading about a future upgrade to the 3.6 HF V6 consisting of a new fuel injection system... supposedly boosting output to at least 300hp. Now I can't find the article, figures. Anyway, those output figures seem resonable, now if they could just get better mpg...

The 3.6 is supposed to get direct injection. I think its supposed to be 305-310hp. 300 in the Aura would be nice. A light pressure turbo would make about 330hp, since the 2.8 turbo makes 255hp, without direct injection.

A few months back i recall reading about a future upgrade to the 3.6 HF V6 consisting of a new fuel injection system... supposedly boosting output to at least 300hp. Now I can't find the article, figures. Anyway, those output figures seem resonable, now if they could just get better mpg...

[post="33203"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

Yeh it's somewhere on here or "that other gm info site" I can't find the article but it DEF said the 3.6 was getting direct injection and making 300hp for the AURA

I remember reading that it was being considered to give the 3.6L direct injection, but I hadn't realized it was to come true.

The cars would be slower with 8 gears. It would spend more time in between gears, than actually in a gear.

[post="28739"]<{POST_SNAPBACK}>[/post]

I think maybe the comment about an 8-speed was sarcastic.......

BUT I think the reason the Benz 7-speed seems to work pretty well and doesn't "hunt" around is that I believe the transmission can skip a gear or two if it needs to on acceleration and deceleration...

I've NEVER been able to count 7 actual gear changes in our S500 as I accelerate from a stop to freeway speeds.....either by feel or watching the tach....neither can I when slowing to a stop....confirming what I think I read about the 7-speed skipping gears....?

That would make sense......the auto picks the right gear for the particular driver inputs and vehicle performance....

But more gears add weight and size to a transmission. The weight hurting performance when those gears are skipped. They also add unnecessary cost to the vehicle. I dont think more than 6 gears are needed.