ORIGINAL: dodgebrothers
Yep, but as we know, even w/ 3:06 and automatic they slapped the Guzzler tax. It is inevitable, especially the way the CAFE standards are headed. Ugh
Well the issue with the pair up with the 3.06 axle with the W5A580 is because of the gear ratios. This is one of my biggest grips about that MB sourced transmission. 5th gear has a ratio of .83. Most other 4-speed automatics have an automatic of around .69, and this 5-speed was built for performance while not really adding speed to the LX cars when comparing it on the V6 models where they keep switching back and forth between the 42RLE 4-speed and it. If the gear ratios were more wisely chosen, the mid 20s would not be unrealistic If they were to give it ratios like GM gave to the Firebird/Camaro or Corvette, we would probably get the best of both worlds.
I'm cringing about that one as well; however, that does not take effect until 2020 so we have 12 years to enjoy cars.