In a world of innovation, where six, seven, eight, and even nine-speed transmissions exist, why keep going to create a ten-speed transmission? When Ford and GM teamed up to create the 10R80 back in 2013, they had the foresight to imagine multiple applications for the new collaboration. As two of the biggest names in the automaker world, any collaboration between the two giants was bound to be met with enthusiasm from buyers.

With the creation of the 10R80 transmission, Ford-GM really delivered on that expectation. Although a more complicated mechanism in many regards, the ten-speed transmission not only satisfies consumers' desires for advancements in design but also gives many benefits from the small size, better RPM control, quick shifting, and reduced spin losses.

Since its creation, Ford-GM has integrated the 10R80 transmission into many of its new models successfully. This integration includes some of the most popular Ford models as well as the Lincoln Navigator.

So, let’s take a closer look at what makes the 10R80 the best 10-speed transmission.

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Creating And Integrating The 10R80 Transmission

When Ford and GM teamed up in 2013, it was not the first time. They had already partnered up to create the six-speed planetary gear program for creating transaxles in 2007, which yielded many advancements in those transmission versions and led to several new patents for each company.

In the new partnership, the plan was for Ford to design a ten-speed transmission while GM would work on their own project, specifically, a nine-speed transmission.

Each was to be designed and created in their own individual factories. Despite a signed contract to share the transmissions, when all was said and done, Ford decided that they would prefer to work with their own creation rather than integrate GM’s nine-speed design.

Ford’s new 10R80 ten-speed transmission brought together all of the features that the collaboration effort was originally looking to develop. However, Ford felt that GM’s transmission did not add anything that wasn’t already available in existing eight-speed versions.

The nine-speed was also larger and would require adjustments to existing interfaces, a hassle Ford ultimately decided wasn’t worthwhile for integration into their own line. Instead, they chose to adapt new eight-speed transmissions for use in certain vehicles.

Once Ford finished the 10R80, they lost no time in integrating it into their most popular trucks and SUVs. A triple clutch assembly on a middle placement shaft allows for the 10R80 to fit into the same space as older and lesser gear transmissions. This means that the new transmission could be dropped into existing interfaces and body styles without modification, a key to the successful integration of the 10R80.

Starting with the 2017 Ford F-150, the 10R80 transmission was an option. That year, for the first time, the 10R80 ten-speed transmission was available with the 2.7-liter EcoBoost V6, 3.5-liter EcoBoost V6, or 5.0-liter Coyote V8 engine options and was even an option with their popular Raptor model.

Future models from Ford available with the ten-speed 10R80 expanded to include their most popular car as well- the Mustang, which was found to be even faster with the automatic transmission than a six-speed manual. In 2018, the Ford Mustang, Ford Expedition, and Lincoln Navigator all came with the ten-speed option.

In 2019, the Ford Ranger, Ford Everest, and again Ford Mustang had the 10R80 available. Finally, 2020 saw the addition of the Ford Transit and Ford Endeavour as well as the Ford Mustang to the lineup as well.

GM jumped onboard, integrating the ten-speed into their own Chevy Camaro ZL1 in 2017, as well as expanding it into Chevy Suburban, Cadillac Escalade, Chevy Tahoe, and GMC Yukon in 2018. In 2019, it was optional in their Chevy Camaro SS, Chevy Silverado, GMC Sierra, and Cadillac CT6. Finally, in 2020, they integrated it into the Cadillac CT4 and CT5.

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Features Of The 10R80 Transmission

It was a desire for increased efficiency and economy that birthed the 10R80, and in many ways, it achieved those goals. It was designed to compete with continuously variable transmissions (CVTs) on the market, and in order to do so, the 10R80 was manufactured to mimic the CVTs ability to deliver continuous power.

Since there are smaller steps between each gear ratio, performance and engine power are maximized during acceleration with the 10R80.

Additionally, the gear ratio spread is wider, and the 10R80 has a lower numerical top gear ratio that helps increase efficiency in the engine by reducing engine speeds when the vehicle is traveling at highway speeds. There is a 20% drop in RPM while shifting as a result, rather than the average 25% drop from eight-speed versions.

Further, the shifting facilitation of the 10R80 adds to its credibility as one of the best ten-speed transmissions. Six clutches help to engage and disengage the dual-clutch pairings. Shifting the 10R80 does not require unlocking the torque converter.

Integrated solenoid valves also assist by regulating shifts and allowing quicker shifting times. These elements of the transmission make shifting smoother and less jarring as well as quicker overall both on upshifts and downshifts.

Ford took great effort to ensure the 10R80s efficiency in all regards. An internal thermal bypass monitors the operating temperature of the transmission. Internal clutches are operated by two hydraulic pumps that take up less overall space and allow for variable displacement as well as being more reliable as a whole.

All of the effort put into the building and design of the 10R80, giving it the feel of a more traditional transmission with the perks of performance and efficiency found in a CVT, makes it the best ten-speed transmission available today.

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