Date: 2 Sep 2005 17:18:32 -0700 From: "SmaartAasSaabr" <smaartaassaabrnospaml.com> Subject: Re: Saab 9-7
This is a GM 4-speed automatic. GM automatics are the best in the industry. Having driven many exemplars of their units over the years, I can say with confidence that the inefficiency you speak of is rather minimal. To use an example, a full sized Impala with a 3.8 litre engine, a 4-speed automatic will get 30 miles per gallon easily, on regular fuel. My 2.0 litre Saab with a 5-speed MANUAL is hard-pressed to achieve that. And the "gear wars" today are getting stupid. 6 speeds can be an efficiency gain, but 7 or more is less efficient, since the engine just spends all it's time waiting for shifts. CVT are different story.