KIA Cadenza to debut firm’s smooth 8-speed auto

Through 143 new patents, Korean automaker, KIA has overcome the challenge of incorporating eight gears into a front-wheel drive car by introducing their first front- wheel drive eight-speed automatic transmission.

Developed in house by the Korean manufacturer, the new eight-speed transmission makes use of intelligent packaging to weigh in at 3.5 kg less than the six-speed automatic transmission. With more gears, the new transmission has been engineered to offer more decisive acceleration at high speeds, improved NVH characteristics and butter-smooth gearshifts.

In terms of fuel efficiency – engineers at KIA have simplified the structure of the valve body and reduced the size of the oil pump; enabling the eight-speed transmission to use oil more efficiently.

Thanks to an additional clutch and gear over the six-speed transmission, the ratio between the top and lowest gear has been significantly increased, resulting in improved fuel economy coupled with faster acceleration.  The number of control valves has also been reduced, resulting in quicker gear shifts.

With regards to future implementation, a number of mid-sized and larger front-wheel drive models will be hosts to the new front-wheel drive eight-speed transmission.

The new front-wheel drive eight-speed transmission is set to be making its debut in the 2017 KIA Cadenza.