April14
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.
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.
True, but if it does actually get a 6% pump in fuel economy, it justifies the extra cost over time.
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?
Can’t wait for the first 10 speed, like my mountain bike.
Where does it end?
I don’t see the point.
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.
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
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.
that’s twice as many gears as my car…
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..
how many gears do you need before the thing just behaves like a CVT - uuggh!!
I only use one gear to drive….so….
I’d be happier with the 7-speed M DKG double-clutch in more models, especially diesels.
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).
The CVT in my chicanomy car Altima is the best tranny yet. I love it!
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.
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.
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 ???
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.
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.
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.