BMW looks to edge ahead of Mercedes and take its cue from Lexus by introducing an eight-speed transmission option by 2009.
The escalating war of the gear ratios rages on as industry sources cited by and automotive analysts claim that BMW will offer a ZF-developed eight-speed automatic transmission in 2009.
In 2001, BMW introduced what was claimed to be the first six-speed automatic transmission in it’s 7-Series. Mercedes, having to go one better than it’s Teutonic rival, then introduced a seven-speed 7-G Tronic auto ‘box in 2003 which then prompted Lexus to develop an eight-speed transmission for its flagship LS460.
This new transmission will make its début in the upcoming 7-Series and will enable the Bavarian firm to compete with the Lexus LS460 and the new IS-F sports saloon.
Over in the states, this volley of transmission one-upmanship has not gone unnoticed, as GM has now started making noises about marketing an eight-speed transmission of its own. According to trademark filings found in September, there is a chance that an eight-speed transmission may find its way into future Cadillac and Buick models.
One has to question whether there is a genuine need for this ever-increasing number of gears or if this escalation in ratios is just a combination of marketing and inter-brand one-upmanship?
British sports car website has made a valid point regarding this trend in adding more gear ratios; do these increasing gear ratios really warrant the added weight and complexity they will inevitably entail? And, secondly, do the new engines they will be bolted to have such a narrow power bands that eight speeds are really necessary?
