Report: Mercedes-Benz Working On Nine-Speed Automatic

[Wunderkind]

Hahahaha.

Competition can be a funny thing. These guys will be putting out 16 speeds one day, in their vehement quests to one up each other.

Someone mentioned CVT Trannies.... Here's why these guys won't use those: Because you can't publicize that you have more gears then the next guy, if you all use CVT's, lol.

It took M-B a while to work out all the kinks with the 7G (hopefully for my sake my '10 fares better than my '06 Transmission wise), so I'm not all that confident in them launching a flawless transmission with the complexities of 9-Speeds. Although, I do understand both Transmissions are being launched at different times for M-B.... Still, Developing engines and Transmissions were never problems for them, even at their worst, so if they couldn't nail it down initially then, I don't know if they will this time.

CVT's are only for cars with small capacity engines and low-ish torque output. No CVT's have ever been designed and developed for high capacity engines except for the Van Doorne CVT tested on the Williams F1 car back in the early 1990's. But that was a race car and not a road car.

Forget about the CVT. No CVT manufacturer has done any work on a high torque-rating one. The current CVT designs are beneficial only in a transverse layout (i.e. sideways). Not good for front-engine rear-drive layout. The costs of R&D and manufacturing will be very high (no economies of scale) and warranty claims will likely be astronomical. The chains in a CVT just cannot be built strong enough.

I do share the sentiment of many forum members, Mercedes can't afford to stuff it up with the 9-speed transmission. If they fail, then Mercedes should seriously consider ceasing its in-house transmission department and buy from ZF like everyone else. It's come to the point where ZF is just as good, if not better, than Mercedes in making automatic transmissions.

 

[K-A]

Yeah.

I've driven Nissan's CVT and it made me queasy, not too smooth at all in the lower BPM range.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Hahahaha.

Competition can be a funny thing. These guys will be putting out 16 speeds one day, in their vehement quests to one up each other.

Someone mentioned CVT Trannies.... Here's why these guys won't use those: Because you can't publicize that you have more gears then the next guy, if you all use CVT's, lol.

It took M-B a while to work out all the kinks with the 7G (hopefully for my sake my '10 fares better than my '06 Transmission wise), so I'm not all that confident in them launching a flawless transmission with the complexities of 9-Speeds. Although, I do understand both Transmissions are being launched at different times for M-B.... Still, Developing engines and Transmissions were never problems for them, even at their worst, so if they couldn't nail it down initially then, I don't know if they will this time.

Hmmm. Chrysler drained somwhere between 300-400 engineers from Mercedes at the peak of their problems. No doubt their engines and transmissions suffered, just like the rest of the car.

Still I wonder why MB continues to do transmissions in house, when everyone else seems to outsource.

 

[K-A]

Hmmm. Chrysler drained somwhere between 300-400 engineers from Mercedes at the peak of their problems. No doubt their engines and transmissions suffered, just like the rest of the car.

Still I wonder why MB continues to do transmissions in house, when everyone else seems to outsource.

They seemed to develop great engines even during the Chrysler Merger. TT V12's, the 5.5L 4V V8, the 3.5 4V, even the AMG 6.2L, and 55K motors, not to mention their Diesels, etc. I'd say the motors have been their best ever in performance and efficiency, with no Reliability issues in general (they're damn near bulletproof).

But yeah, the Chrysler merger didn't help jack, and what a dumb move that was.

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

They seemed to develop great engines even during the Chrysler Merger. TT V12's, the 5.5L 4V V8, the 3.5 4V, even the AMG 6.2L, and 55K motors, not to mention their Diesels, etc. I'd say the motors have been their best ever in performance and efficiency, with no Reliability issues in general (they're damn near bulletproof).

But yeah, the Chrysler merger didn't help jack, and what a dumb move that was.

The regular V8's, V6's and Fours were good, but not fantastic. And no way close to class leading. This is particularly true of the V6's and Fours, which were comprehensively beat by the competition not long after their release. They've failed to keep pace and have fallen significantly behind.

The new generation of MOVE V8 and V6 engines will hopefully redeem themselves. The CGI fours are excellent units and are garnering much deserved praise.

MB's massive high end motors have always been excellent. Though we should note the 6.2 was developed by AMG.

 

[Wolfgang]

Mercedes-Benz 9G-Tronic

Some pics.

europeancarweb.com

 

[Tarek]

Is this gonna be premiered with the W222 S-Class?

 

[bmer]

Just to be clear, both pictures above (in Wolfgang's post) are of the 7G-Tronic.

 

[Wolfgang]

The top picture is from the S400.

The latest automatic in production is the 7G-Tronic Plus:

Daimler finalized the advanced development of the sixth generation of its seven-speed automatic transmission
for more comfort, less fuel consumption and more driving pleasure. Assembled in E-, R-, S- and CL-Class, the
7G-Tronic Plus has a new fuel efficient torque converter with centrifugal pendulum damper and regulated zero
slip at the torque converter lock-up clutch as well as a new automatic transmission lubricant (FE-ATF).

europeantransmissions.com: EVOLUTION TO THE SEVEN-SPEED AUTOMATIC TRANSMISSION 7G-TRONIC PLUS

 

[Wolfgang]

Mercedes-Benz 9G-Tronic

The first nine-speed automatic transmission with torque converter, the 9G-TRONIC for premium vehicles, is celebrating its world premiere: equipped with the innovative power transmission, the E 350 BlueTEC is set to become one of the most fuel-efficient six-cylinder diesel models in its class. Source: Daimler.

 

[martinbo]

Wolfgang bangs out the Benz scoops once more. Tremendous! Here is the 9G-Tronic - just like that - and don't you just love that about Mercedes Benz? No official hints or promises, no fuss or fanfare... just straight up and timeous delivery of leading-edge technology.

 

[Human]

Wolfgang bangs out the Benz scoops once more. Tremendous! Here is the 9G-Tronic - just like that - and don't you just love that about Mercedes Benz? No official hints or promises, no fuss or fanfare... just straight up and timeous delivery of leading-edge technology.

Indeed a subtle 'launch', great tech and it's build inhouse. Still more gears to come?

In my line of business the Cabin/Aircon air filter was used in Combine Harvesters from as early as 1978. And Massey-Ferguson (AGCO owned) + Eaton are developing their 22 Speed Speedshift-tronic, Sattelite Guided box with 6 Reverse gears and also a new TIER 6 (6 Cylinder - 9 liter) diesel engine with (AGCO owned) SISU of Finland. Just for interest sake.

 

[LaArtist]

Big up to MB for not taking the easy route, and making their Gearboxes in house.
Thats something i appreciate when thinking about buying a product

 

[Zafiro]

I'm so glad I don't have to change gear myself. 8,9 gears, is it ever gonna end.

 

[Sunny]

Now where are the Merc fan boys who claimed 8 gears is one too many...

 

[mini_cooper4]

Big up to MB for not taking the easy route, and making their Gearboxes in house.
Thats something i appreciate when thinking about buying a product

I guess it's the same with engines

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

Big up to MB for not taking the easy route, and making their Gearboxes in house.
Thats something i appreciate when thinking about buying a product

Really? Does it really make a difference to you where the box in your car comes from. I I don't give a hoot, as long as the changes are intelligent, fast and imperceptible. Mercedes 7G tronic left something to be desired, so I really hope this one is as good as it should be. A luxury Mercedes should have the smoothest most imperceptible gear changes.

 

[LaArtist]

^yeah it really does matter to me, im willing to pay extra for it.
Its commendable what they do, they could easily go to ZG, getrag or whom ever else.
Im also in the camp that believes that if the the whole drive-train is made in house, or at least with a the purpose of one working for the other, opposed to off the shelf product.. you always end up with a better package.

Also the Mercedes gearboxes have demands which the other manufacturers do not require, they have cars in their stable with 1000nm's, and also the character of a Mercedes is a very smooth package as you stated.

i rather have a smooth slower changing benz, than a rapid changing rough one.

( does not apply to AMGs though)

 

[Giannis]

^yeah it really does matter to me, im willing to pay extra for it.
Its commendable what they do, they could easily go to ZG, getrag or whom ever else.

Same here, even if the outsourced ZF 'box is better, you get a far more superior feel-good-factor when you know that all mechanical components are developed in-house. And yes, I would be willing to pay extra for this, too!

 

[Mr. Mercedes]

^yeah it really does matter to me, im willing to pay extra for it.
Its commendable what they do, they could easily go to ZG, getrag or whom ever else.
Im also in the camp that believes that if the the whole drive-train is made in house, or at least with a the purpose of one working for the other, opposed to off the shelf product.. you always end up with a better package.

Also the Mercedes gearboxes have demands which the other manufacturers do not require, they have cars in their stable with 1000nm's, and also the character of a Mercedes is a very smooth package as you stated.

i rather have a smooth slower changing benz, than a rapid changing rough one.

( does not apply to AMGs though)

Problem is the ZF 8 speed was smoother AND faster then Mercedes 7G.