The number of transmission gears is growing at an unprecedented rate. In the 1990s, four speed-automatic and five-speed manual transmissions were the norm. Today, most automatic and manual transmissions have six or more gears. The increase in transmission gears is driven by customer demand and government regulations to increase fuel mileage and reduce emissions. With the increasing number of transmission gears, we wonder how many cogs are too many. While six-speed manual transmissions are commonplace, seven-speed manuals are available on the Porsche 911 Carrera and upcoming 2014 Chevrolet Corvette Stingray. All Mercedes-Benz, except V-12 models, have seven-speed automatic transmissions, while Chrysler, BMW, and Hyundai models with longitudinally mounted engines have eight-speed automatics. Transmission manufacturer ZF is currently developing a nine-speed automatic transmission for transverse front- and all-wheel-drive applications such as the Land Rover Range Rover Evoque and even some Honda and Chrysler products. Rumors suggest Hyundai is developing a 10-speed automatic transmission for the Genesis and Equus sedans. Automakers claim that more gears allow engines to be more fuel-friendly because they don’t have to be revved as high to access power and that with new electronics, the shifts are barely perceptible. With seven-speed manual and eight-speed automatics on sale –and even more gears on the way – do you think that modern transmissions have too many speeds? Share your thoughts below.
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