Mercedes to Up The Ante in Transmission Wars With 9-speed?
07-21-10, 08:01 AM
#46
Guest
Posts: n/a
Exactly, like that's some key to success (proof is the RL selling 170 units per month, hard to beat that pathetic low point in sales).
The fact is the best multispeed trannys shift so smooth and quiet that most people cannot even detect the upshifts and downshifts. Plus the ratios are so close that big jumps in ratios don't happen.
The fact is the best multispeed trannys shift so smooth and quiet that most people cannot even detect the upshifts and downshifts. Plus the ratios are so close that big jumps in ratios don't happen.
What the hell is there not to love? Luxury is about excess, not what someone "needs". Otherwise we'd all drive 20 year old Integras
07-21-10, 08:14 AM
#47
Lexus Champion
Care to explain your point as it's clear you have no idea what you're talking about?
The 8 speeds in the Lexus' allow for gas mileage that just can't happen with the other trannys. Curious how many C63's and M3's are getting 25 mpg on the highway? In the F, the first 6 gears are the performance ones, with 7/8 being essentially overdrive for the great mileage we get. I can't comment on the LS but would assume it's similar.
We have the 7 speed in our ML and get about 4 miles to the gallon better than our X5 with the 6 speed. Granted, the X5 has a little bit more power, but with the new 8 speed BMW is offering I would expect that the mileage would be close. Why wouldn't you want a tranny that offers better performance and mileage?
07-21-10, 08:31 AM
#48
Lexus Champion
I think tractors had as much as 72 speeds using a conventional transmission :P.
Anyways
Since AMG Speedshift > G-TRONIC, then I guess MB is also preparing for a performance version of their upcoming 9-speed gearbox too for AMG Sport/Performance models.
Still, if you want more gears, then I believe that CVT and D-Drive IVT are the ways to go for this. I mean, if we are that hungry for more gears, then what's the point of 30 speed (like Shimano bikes) or 72 speed (tractors) or even gears that are OVVVVVEEERRRRR NINE THOUSAND!!!!!!!
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When CVT and D-Drive IVT will give you INFINITY 
Anyways
Since AMG Speedshift > G-TRONIC, then I guess MB is also preparing for a performance version of their upcoming 9-speed gearbox too for AMG Sport/Performance models.
Still, if you want more gears, then I believe that CVT and D-Drive IVT are the ways to go for this. I mean, if we are that hungry for more gears, then what's the point of 30 speed (like Shimano bikes) or 72 speed (tractors) or even gears that are OVVVVVEEERRRRR NINE THOUSAND!!!!!!!
.When CVT and D-Drive IVT will give you INFINITY
07-21-10, 08:36 AM
#49
Guest
Posts: n/a
Lol!
Care to explain your point as it's clear you have no idea what you're talking about?
The 8 speeds in the Lexus' allow for gas mileage that just can't happen with the other trannys. Curious how many C63's and M3's are getting 25 mpg on the highway? In the F, the first 6 gears are the performance ones, with 7/8 being essentially overdrive for the great mileage we get. I can't comment on the LS but would assume it's similar.
We have the 7 speed in our ML and get about 4 miles to the gallon better than our X5 with the 6 speed. Granted, the X5 has a little bit more power, but with the new 8 speed BMW is offering I would expect that the mileage would be close. Why wouldn't you want a tranny that offers better performance and mileage?
Care to explain your point as it's clear you have no idea what you're talking about?
The 8 speeds in the Lexus' allow for gas mileage that just can't happen with the other trannys. Curious how many C63's and M3's are getting 25 mpg on the highway? In the F, the first 6 gears are the performance ones, with 7/8 being essentially overdrive for the great mileage we get. I can't comment on the LS but would assume it's similar.
We have the 7 speed in our ML and get about 4 miles to the gallon better than our X5 with the 6 speed. Granted, the X5 has a little bit more power, but with the new 8 speed BMW is offering I would expect that the mileage would be close. Why wouldn't you want a tranny that offers better performance and mileage?
Hey everyone, lets all wish we had those great 5 speed autos only. LMFAO the Lexus GS/SC/LS gained a 5 speed in 1997
Lol at still offering a 5 speed in 2010.Again, kudos to Benz for upping the ante. I'm sure they will beef it up to handle the power some engines offer as well.
07-21-10, 09:05 AM
#50
Lexus Fanatic
More gears, though, means more shifting, detectable or not...and more wear. Hopefully (?), advances in transmission quality/engineering/materials will offset the added-wear issue.
07-21-10, 09:16 AM
#51
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
manufacturers have a gun to their heads known as fuel economy mandates. more gears are one way to get there. it will be pushed as luxury, but that's not the reason, imo, they're doing it.
07-21-10, 09:21 AM
#52
Lexus Fanatic
With smaller and lower-torque vehicles, CVTs are negating the need for multi-gear transmissions, though some newer CVTs can be used with 250-300 HP and equivalent torque.
07-21-10, 10:04 AM
#53
Yeah, i think eventually, CVT's will be able to handle lots of power and will be replacing many of these 9+ gear trannies...
07-21-10, 01:15 PM
#54
Lexus Fanatic
iTrader: (20)
07-21-10, 05:06 PM
#55
Lexus Fanatic
All correct.......I won't deny that. Butter-smooth transmissions, though, where shifts are virtually undetectable, are nothing new...they go back to the magic-carpet Buick Dynaflow and Super-Turbine 300 automatics of the 50s and 60s, which were smoother even than their Cadillac brothers. Problem is...they didn't have any efficiency.
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When I pay premium prices for a car, I want the best available.
Yes, I've listened carefully with my sharp ears to a 7 speed MB tranny shift quickly and effectively when accelerating hard. It reminds me of a high performance motrocycle. No complaints when it can deliver both perforance and fuel efficiency. Most people will never hear it or even feel it.
In contrast I'm driving a 2010 Prius CVT this week and listened to droning and motor boating for hundrids of miles through the Canadian mountains for comparison, lol. Blahhh but its cheap on gas for sure.
All that internet hearsay about more wear from more shifting is a joke when many of these trannys have fewer moving parts and are more reliable than the 3/4/5 speed trannys of the recent pass (usually bantered around by people with zero background in the automotive service business).
Last edited by IS-SV; 07-21-10 at 05:14 PM.
07-21-10, 07:32 PM
#58
bring out the 24-speed, with a squeeze bubble horn and pink flairs for the side mirrors. At some point with gear ratioing, it just doesn't improve much and is just a means to say "hey, we got more gears !!!"
07-21-10, 09:05 PM
#59
Lexus Fanatic
Like you, I myself don't particularly like how the Prius transmissions work (or those on the Insight either)...and I've driven all three generations of them. But, like you say, they DO contribute to phenominal gas mileage.
All that internet hearsay about more wear from more shifting is a joke when many of these trannys have fewer moving parts and are more reliable than the 3/4/5 speed trannys of the recent pass (usually bantered around by people with zero background in the automotive service business).
Last edited by mmarshall; 07-21-10 at 09:08 PM.