C7 Z06 Automatic Dubbed, The Slushbox Supercar: Badass or Blasphemy?

Some have already labeled the new C7 Z06 Corvette, The Slushbox Supercar because along with a 7-speed manual transmission, GM will also offer an 8 speed automatic, dubbed the 8L90. While some are rejoicing, others are complaining because the General chose to use a torque converter equipped automatic transmission rather than a dual-clutch like what’s found in some Ferraris, BMWs and Porsches. But according to GM engineers, the new slushbox is anything but that.

“Wide-open-throttle upshifts will be executed up to eight-hundredths of a second quicker than the dual-clutch in the Porsche 911.”
If that’s not good enough, the new 8L90 is backed by paddle shifters and will surely be startlingly fast around a road course, wicked at the strip and the obvious choice for many street driven C7 Corvettes.

Now before you go complaining about Chevrolet using “old tech,” let us remind you that many factory AMG Mercedes models have had great success with their torque-converter equipped transmissions and even the new Jaguar F-Type V8S sports a torque converter–and having driven the new F-Type S, I can personally tell you that it rifles off shifts in “Sport” mode.

True, we’ve yet to sample the new 8L90 and some people weren’t happy with the outgoing 6L90’s performance, but we’re talking two more cogs, paddle shifters and newer technology here. I’m not saying that all the stick guys should convert to the new 8-speed auto, all I’m saying is, keep an open mind! But really, what are your thoughts on a torque-converter automatic as an optional transmission for the new Z06?

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