Automatic transmissions with nine and 10 speeds are likely in the future, according to Opel’s Rolf Kruettgen, a transmission specialist with the General Motors Europe unit, as the automaker readies its first eight-speeder for introduction. And GME will eventually offer CVTs and dual-clutch automatics as well.

Opel, sold as Vauxhall in the UK and Northern Ireland, is currently rolling out new five- and six-speed manual gearboxes, an updated five-speed automated manual, is improving its current six-speed automatic and plans a new eight-speeder for larger vehicles.

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The new eight-speed automatic transmission is supplied by Japan’s Aisin – not Germany’s ZF as might have been thought – and is “over a year away” from sale in new cars. The wider gear spread enables an average improvement in fuel economy of more than 3% and more responsive performance.

It worked beautifully in a prototype V6 Insignia shown off at Opel’s technical centre in Dudenhofen, near Frankfurt, with fast, almost imperceptible shifts and snappy response to sudden prods on the accelerator.

It can handle up to 400Nm of petrol torque or 500Nm of diesel and will work with start/stop.      

New packaging reduced weight and length compared to the six-speed unit, and there is improved oil pump operation and lower cooling requirements.

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Before the eight-speed gearbox is introduced, a second generation six-speed transmission will also make its debut in compact and midsize vehicles. This offers active steering wheel controls while in Drive and enhanced engine braking without manual downshifting – as well as the current driver-adaptive, ‘fuzzy’ logic and choice of ‘eco’, sport or manual driving modes.

Nonetheless, Kruettgen said manual transmissions would dominate in Europe for the next decade. In 2013, the split is manual 68%, auto 18%, DCT 9% and CVT 1% with oddities like automated manuals accounting for the few remaining percent.

In 2019, Opel sees the split as 64% manual, 20% auto, 11% DCT and 2% CVT.

Opel will eventually offer CVT and DCT but there’s no official “when and in what” yet.