C7 Corvette could get Aisin 8-speed transmission because GM's own 'box isn't ready

Chevrolet is unveiling its highly anticipated C7 Corvette at the 2013 Detroit Auto Show, but the new eight-speed automatic transmission that General Motors will introduce in this car reportedly won't be ready for at least another year. No, this doesn't mean that the C7 will only come with a manual transmission at launch. According to Motor Trend, what it does mean, though, is that the Corvette will rely on an eight-speed auto sourced from Aisin until GM's in-house transmission is ready.

The report says GM wanted to make sure it has all of the bugs worked out of its in-house-developed transmission before it launches, so it's doing a short-term agreement with the Japanese transmission supplier. Since GM is developing its own eight-speed for use in transverse (front-wheel drive) and longitudinal (all- and rear-wheel drive) applications, the Corvette will share its transmission with cars like the Cadillac XTS, ATS and the next-gen CTS, while the Buick LaCrosse and new Impala will be likely candidates for the transverse version of this gearbox. Currently, the only transmission listed on the Impala's spec sheet is the six-speed auto.