RSS RSS Twitter Twitter
Leftlane - news, reviews, and info for the auto-industry
 
 

2009 BMW 7-series to use eight-speed transmission

04/14/2008, 4:24 PM

By Drew Johnson

With automakers like Chevrolet and Pontiac offering six-speed automatic transmissions, it just doesn’t seem right that the world’s leading car makers would offer the same number of cogs on their flagship models. Mercedes-Benz has been offering a seven-speed transmission for some time now and Lexus has stepped up its game with an eight-speed box. And, according to a new report, BMW will also be taking things up a notch.

According to Bimmerfile, BMW will equip its next-generation 7-series sedan with an eight-speed automatic transmission. The new transmission will also see the shifter moved from the steering column back to the center console.

Despite having two more gears than the current 7-series, the new gearbox won’t take up any more space than the six-speed and will also be smoother and more efficient. The extra gears should also help the 7-series see a 6 percent bump in fuel economy.

The new transmission is also said to be very versatile, meaning it will probably spread to other BMW models after its debut in the next-generation 7-series.

    Print This Post

New car price quote

Zero obligation price quote from a trusted local dealer.
 
 

04/14, 4:29 PM

posted by:

Commodore

Useless…just adds cost. It is like the Lexus model…I guess it is a good thing to have that advanced technology but I question whether it is actually needed.

04/14, 4:46 PM

posted by:

Jon Luc

True, but if it does actually get a 6% pump in fuel economy, it justifies the extra cost over time.

04/14, 4:48 PM

posted by:

Stridder44

Forgive my ignorance, but was this very hard to do in the past? I mean, is it just recently that we have been able to make 7 and 8 speed transmissions? Or could we have a long time ago, but didn’t. And if so, for what reason?

04/14, 4:58 PM

posted by:

400horseSS

Can’t wait for the first 10 speed, like my mountain bike.

04/14, 4:59 PM

posted by:

jackjimturkey

Where does it end?
I don’t see the point.

04/14, 5:43 PM

posted by:

hateful83

I agree jackjimturkey, it’s like they’re just trying to one up one another. BMW has to make an 8speed because Lexus did. Also, you’d think this thing would be shifting constantly which would piss me off to no end.

04/14, 5:43 PM

posted by:

DrFill

Welcome to the club!
This might be the point where offering more gears is just redundant, and of no benefit.
Someone will offer a 10-speed, but it’s kind of silly.
A CVT is really the only logical next step up.
DrFill

04/14, 5:46 PM

posted by:

hateful83

I also like how this article says “With automakers like Chevrolet and Pontiac offering six-speed automatic transmissions”, like piss on these ****hole brands. We can’t have one damn thing in common with them. Oddly enought, I think I read an article talking about how BMW was interested in using the GM 6speed tranny in some of their models.

04/14, 5:59 PM

posted by:

mars_Smiley

that’s twice as many gears as my car…

04/14, 6:03 PM

posted by:

rsg

I concur. Why pick on Chevy and Pontiac of all the brands using 6 speeds? Especially since BMW used to use GM built transmissions, for a long time ,too. Look it up..

04/14, 6:05 PM

posted by:

phiftywon

how many gears do you need before the thing just behaves like a CVT – uuggh!!

04/14, 6:37 PM

posted by:

elviososa

I only use one gear to drive….so….

04/14, 8:17 PM

posted by:

The Stig

I’d be happier with the 7-speed M DKG double-clutch in more models, especially diesels.

04/14, 8:25 PM

posted by:

autonut

I suspect that the article is talking about double clutch transmission. With double clutch there is little space and weight difference between 7 or 8 gears. It is not as heavy as 6 speed auto with planetary gears and wet clutch. Actually, there is little in the form of penalty to have it 10 speed (it still will be smaller then 6 speed auto).

04/14, 10:07 PM

posted by:

RotaxKart

The CVT in my chicanomy car Altima is the best tranny yet. I love it!

04/14, 10:26 PM

posted by:

johnnycanuck

Not only that jjt, but how long did the world survive on 3spd autos? And it wasn’t that long ago 4spds were a big deal. That said I firmly believe 6spd manuals should be mandatory for anything other than the most basic entry level models.

It is a sad state of affairs when the slushbox officially has more gears than a proper 3 pedal arrangement. Guess the majority are either too busy or too uncoordinated to shift for themselves. Or, as evolution takes it’s course perhaps the left leg of the human race is becoming atrophied.

04/15, 10:25 AM

posted by:

jJayC08

CVT….

Nissan has had to replace/maintain 50% less transmissions since they switched the Altima and Murano to CVT’s, and both have been selling pretty well.

Stridder44- Because people 20 years ago didn’t see ridiculous amounts of gears as a good marketing gimmick. I still don’t see how it is, and I can tell others feel the same, but regardless they’re pushing another ridiculous technology onto the market thinking “yes, despite them saying they don’t want it, it will sell”. Unfortunately, it probably will.

autonut- Yes, as far as I know they are indeed talking about a double clutch transmission. But, you must also take into consideration that it’s using up more parts, and is more expensive to make than a 6 speed with dual clutches.

04/15, 11:19 AM

posted by:

Get Real

Ted Turner said in 40 years we will be eating each other due to global warming.
Who gets to eat the fattest guy with the most gears in his tranny ???

04/15, 1:01 PM

posted by:

RaineMan

How many gears does a car really need?

My 89 dodge has a 3-speed auto… and still gets 20+MPG around town.

Engines these days have such broad power bands that you really don’t need that many gears. Semis use multi-speed units because they don’t have that many RPMs to work with so the multiplying force of many many gears is needed. A 6-speed unit with two overdrives is all that is really needed to get increased mileage. You don’t need more gears between 4:1 and 1:1… you need more gears between 1:1 and 0:1 that’s where you get the great mileage gains.

04/15, 2:37 PM

posted by:

El Aleman

What’s your problem, guys?

More gears mean better performance and economy, so as long as the shifts are not annoying (I’m sure BMW and ZF will have given some thought to that in the flagship) it’s alright..

My Opel Zafira (most of you won’t know it, it’s a crappy sub-minivan in Europe) has 5 gears and I feel there are at least two missing, and a seven series has a top speed of 40 mph more even with the electronic governor.. So I think even 9 or 10 gears could be a good thing in cars that have enough power to spread it out.

04/16, 11:27 PM

posted by:

Kaizen

I’m driving an LS460 right now. You don’t even notice the extra shifting because 1.) the transitions are so smooth and 2.) you don’t always go through each gear 1-8. So I don’t doubt that we’ll see 10 speed transmission in 2010. The likelier situation is that the CVT will be worked on and perfected and manufacturers will implement digital gears like in the LS 600h to hold the transmission at a ratio like a gear. The 600h a 8 virtual gears because research has shown that a lot of people can’t get used to the idea of not feeling a shift. That’s why I hate driving out hybrids to date.

 
 
You need to log in with your user name and password before you can leave comments.

    

Forgot your Password?

Don't have a user name yet? Simply fill in the form below and click the link provided in the
confirmation email. You must supply a valid email address to complete the registration process.

  
 
 
 
 
  • Login
  • About
  • Contact
Please note that you need to log in with your user name and password before you can leave comments.
  

login
cancel
Forgot your Password?
Don't have a user name yet? Click here to register now.

Simply fill in the form below and click the link provided in the confirmation email. You must supply a valid email address to complete the registration process.

  
submit
cancel
Leftlane is the leading source for automotive industry and vehicle news, new car research, future vehicle information, and reviews. Read by car shoppers, driving enthusiasts, autoworkers, executives, and investors, the website is updated throughout the day with the very latest auto news - as it happens.

Leftlane also provides consumers with accurate and media-rich information on every car currently on the market. In-market shoppers can review specs, read overviews, view high-resolution images, watch videos, and estimate pricing. No other automotive publication brings together the same degree of timeliness, thoroughness and accuracy as Leftlane.
 
submit
cancel