This is for all of you who aren't familiar with AMG Speedshift transmissions.
Since 2003, all new AMG models (excluding the C32 and SLK32) have three modes to the AMG Speedshift automatic transmissions.
"C" - comfort mode: Car will shift automatically if left alone; transmission starts in 2nd gear (unless kickdown is initiated by flooring the accelerator); gear shifts are slower/smoother and occur at lower rpm's; note that manual selection of gears is still possible at any time with the gear shift lever or with buttons/paddles at the back of the steering wheel; however, the transmission will automatically upshift before hitting the rev limiter or downshift before the engine stalls if you keep the car in the same gear inappropriately
"S" - standard or sport mode: Car will shift automatically if left alone; transmission starts in 1st gear; gear shifts are faster and occur at higher rpm's for a more sporty experience and acceleration; note that manual selection of gears is still possible at any time with the gear shift lever or with buttons/paddles at the back of the steering wheel; however, the transmission will automatically upshift before hitting the rev limiter or downshift before the engine stalls if you keep the car in the same gear inappropriately
"M" -manual mode: Car will not shift automatically if you don't do anything (except it will downshift if the engine is about the stall). Driver needs to upshift/downshift on his own using the gearshift lever or the buttons/paddles on the back of the steering wheel. The car will not downshift on its own even if you try to initiate kickdown by flooring the accelerator, and it will not upshift on its own even if you hit the rev limiter. Thus, the driver has FULL control of the gear selections.
In the C55 (5 speed AMG Speedshift) and the SLK55 (7 speed AMG Speedshift), shift speeds are about 35% faster than the standard Mercedes automatic transmissions.
In the latest E63/CLS63/CLK63, the 7 speed AMG Speedshift is even faster. Here is an excerpt from the CLS63 press release about the transmission.
"[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]AMG SPEEDSHIFT 7G-TRONIC takes care of the power transfer in the new CLS 63 AMG. The driver can select the fully automatic or manual setting and change gears using the selector lever on the new silver-coloured AMG aluminium gearshift paddles. The seven-speed automatic system adapts itself to the driving style — be it dynamic or more laid-back. Accessible via a switch in the centre console, the driving modes “S” (Sport), “C” (Comfort) and “M” (Manual) in the new CLS 63 AMG each have different gearshift characteristics and speeds. Gear-changing time in “S” mode is about 30 percent faster than in “C” mode — and in “M” mode it is up to around 50 percent quicker.[/FONT]
[FONT=Arial, sans-serif]If manual mode ("M") is selected, the driver also benefits from the V8 engine's immense pulling power, since automatic downshifts are prevented, even at full load or when the kickdown position is reached. In other words, the driver can be sure that the selected gear will remain engaged. Selecting manual mode also prevents AMG SPEEDSHIFT from performing an automatic upshift when the engine speed limit for a particular gear is reached. In manual mode ("M"), the new AMG instrument cluster displays the currently selected gear, including a shift prompt. In this way, sportier drivers can make the most of the considerable power at their disposal. When the engine speed approaches the lower rpm limit, the transmission downshifts."[/FONT]
