By 2020, General Motors plans to make automatic engine stop/start available in just about every light vehicle it sells around the world, according to an Automotive News report published earlier this week.
That move begins with cars like the 2017 Chevrolet Malibu whose available nine-speed transmission -- designed jointly by GM and Ford -- was engineered with auto stop/start in mind.
A GM spokesperson said cars equipped with stop/start will get heavier-duty batteries and starters designed for quicker starts; that nine-speed transmission's design includes the ability to maintain hydraulic pressure -- which an automatic needs in order shift and keep a ratio engaged -- even while the car is not running to allow the car to drive away immediately when the engine re-starts.
A 10-speed version of that transmission will be used in the Ford Raptor pickup and Chevrolet Camaro ZL1, both of which go on sale this fall as 2017 models.
