The 2017 ZL1 Camaro, available later this year, is nothing less than a four passenger Z06 Corvette with 10 less horsepower. But, would you have ever guessed that behind its Flow Tie emblem and power LT4 engine is half of a Ford transmission?

We say “half” because the 10-speed automatic transmission was developed jointly between Ford and GM. On the Ford side of things the 10-speed auto is bound for the 2017 SVT Raptor, and also slated for the next generation Mustang. That means the 2017 ZL1 Camaro and future GT350R Mustang will likely share the same transmission.

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We speculate the move to so many new cogs is to meet coming ever-stricter emissions laws, and the new 10-speed automatic was developed to handle the demands of an extreme high- end performance car, or be tough enough to tow large trailers behind a heavy-duty truck. It has a 7.39 overall ratio for smaller steps between gears to keep the engine attached to it in its optimum RPM range more of the time.

Between the two brands traditionally known for a Hatfield’s and McCoy’s relationship, the cease fire, in this instance, will make manufacturing a vast quantity of 10-speed automatic transmissions cheaper. General Motors reports the 10-speed auto will be in eight of its models by 2018. At Ford, placement will expand to garden-variety F-150 trucks, the Lincoln Navigator, and the next gen Ford Mustang.

What other cool, go-fast parts might we see come out of this semi-unholy alliance of Ford and Chevy? Shoot, if peace between those two is possible, maybe we should expect this whole Middle-East thing to wrap up soon.

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