Mercedes 7-speed automatic transmission

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Do they really need a 7-speed auto though? With the massive torque and broad powerband those engines make, you'd think a 5-spd auto would suffice. I'd say, instead of going for 7-spd, just go CVT. Infinite gears!

I guess Mercedes-Benz is just developing for marketing, they need to show they are one-up on the competition. It's a nice thing to brag about your 7-spd auto at the country club I guess.

No contemporary CVT will be able to handle that much torque.

Well that's why they should be working at making one. this is Mercedes Benz after all! I'm sure they can do it. Nissan tamed the CVT to work with 246 lb/ft of torque, so I'm sure Benz can make it handle 500lb/ft after time. I know Nissan uses chains rather than belts, however there is a problem with them in extreme temperatures.

I'll try to find the link that had the info.

(1) Audi tamed 220 lb-ft of torque with A6. Another 26 lb-ft is a pissing match...so don't give Nissan TOO much credit

(2) They probably ARE working on them, but you must realize that the Murano is a single product line for Nissan. It's a relatively love volume model w/o much risk. Mercedes shares it's transmissions/engines across a broad range of models so they wouldn't be introducing something like a CVT until it was cost effective and modular enough to install on a fair % of their models.

 

[Walleye]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
"No matter how many gears it's got, you're still a pansy for not changing them yourself."

- M4H

AGREED!!!

 

[Cyberian]

Originally posted by: Koing
manual for life.

Never driven an auto.........

I said the same thing 40+ years ago.
Your feelings may change if you have to drive 2+ hours to work in a major Metropolitan area.

(Oh yeah - I had a Jag, a Healey, and a few old flathead Fords that I thoroughly enjoyed driving.)

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Do they really need a 7-speed auto though? With the massive torque and broad powerband those engines make, you'd think a 5-spd auto would suffice. I'd say, instead of going for 7-spd, just go CVT. Infinite gears!

I guess Mercedes-Benz is just developing for marketing, they need to show they are one-up on the competition. It's a nice thing to brag about your 7-spd auto at the country club I guess.

No contemporary CVT will be able to handle that much torque.

Well that's why they should be working at making one. this is Mercedes Benz after all! I'm sure they can do it. Nissan tamed the CVT to work with 246 lb/ft of torque, so I'm sure Benz can make it handle 500lb/ft after time. I know Nissan uses chains rather than belts, however there is a problem with them in extreme temperatures.

I'll try to find the link that had the info.

(1) Audi tamed 220 lb-ft of torque with A6. Another 26 lb-ft is a pissing match...so don't give Nissan TOO much credit

(2) They probably ARE working on them, but you must realize that the Murano is a single product line for Nissan. It's a relatively love volume model w/o much risk. Mercedes shares it's transmissions/engines across a broad range of models so they wouldn't be introducing something like a CVT until it was cost effective and modular enough to install on a fair % of their models.

Umm not to get into arguing match..but Nissan's CVT has been out for a while in Japan (over a few years). It's used on multiple models over there, ranging from their Skyline (G35) to other cars such as the Primera, etc..they also have considered using it on their next GTR (which I doubt will happen). Also, Nissan's CVT works with AWD while Audi's doesn't.

The first manufactuer to implement was Subaru. They had CVT AWD tranny in the 80s on their Justy model. And I wasn't trying to give Nissan credit in that post, but I am doing so now .

Anyway, I understand what your saying about Benz. And while your right, I'm sure this 7-spd auto is mainly made for marketing as its not needed on an engine that produces 400+ lb/ft torque.

 

[NFS4]

Umm not to get into arguing match..but Nissan's CVT has been out for a while. It's used on multiple models in Japan, ranging from their Skyline (G35) to other cars such as the Primera, etc..they also have considered using it on their next GTR (which I doubt will happen).

I could care less what they do in Japan That means nothing to me here in the US. I'm talking about our market.

We had the Subaru CVT's and Honda's CVT that was introduced in the '96 Civic HX. But those were relatively tame engines.

But as far as higher-output models available in the US, Audi was the first.

 

[Cyberian]

Subaru had CVT in the 80s on their Justy model. And I wasn't trying to give Nissan credit in that post, but I am doing so now .

DAF (I think the Company was based in Holland) had CVT in the late '50s - early '60s.

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Umm not to get into arguing match..but Nissan's CVT has been out for a while. It's used on multiple models in Japan, ranging from their Skyline (G35) to other cars such as the Primera, etc..they also have considered using it on their next GTR (which I doubt will happen).

I could care less what they do in Japan That means nothing to me here in the US. I'm talking about our market.

We had the Subaru CVT's and Honda's CVT that was introduced in the '96 Civic HX. But those were relatively tame engines.

But as far as higher-output models available in the US, Audi was the first.

Audi hasn't gotten CVT working with AWD yet, while Nissan and Subaru have. Also altho those other models weren't released in the US, it doesn't undermine the company's technological prowess and ingeniuty and the fact that they have made those tranny's/vehicles. Its mostly marketing and consumer demands which restrict them over here.

Either way, I hope CVT gains more popularity since I see it has a far better approach to auto trannies. And the reason why ppl want manual trannies, cause its more fun to drive. Of course that's not important on a S class, but in general for other *more normal* cars.

Also fact, did you know Benz employed former developers of the LS400 to work on the development of the current S-class. They wanted to know how to build a luxury vehicle so cheaply.

 

[Syringer]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Umm not to get into arguing match..but Nissan's CVT has been out for a while. It's used on multiple models in Japan, ranging from their Skyline (G35) to other cars such as the Primera, etc..they also have considered using it on their next GTR (which I doubt will happen).

I could care less what they do in Japan That means nothing to me here in the US.

How does a 7-spd tranny do anything for you? I suppose you're going to go pick up one of these Mercedes next weekend?

 

[Thegonagle]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: m2kewl

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
"No matter how many gears it's got, you're still a pansy for not changing them yourself." - M4H

amen

I'd like to hear you say that to the face of a guy pulling a horse trailer in a Ford F-350 Crew Cab Duallie

I?d like to see how long an auto would last in an 18-wheel big-rig.

 

[AvesPKS]

Didn't the Veyron get touted with a 7-speed transmission? I guess it's manual, but, still...and I won't take my cues from a website that doesn't know how to use punctuation and grammar correctly...:disgust:

 

[Goosemaster]

Originally posted by: MercenaryForHire
"No matter how many gears it's got, you're still a pansy for not changing them yourself."

- M4H

lol

 

[imported_vr6]

so its like my bicycle in the back yard?

 

[JYDog]

Considering that the requirement for a E500 or S600 are essentially all these, sports car-like acceleration, super high speed capabilities, a low(triple digit) cruising decible levels, and good MPG, a 7-speed is not overdone at all.

 

[Johnnie]

cool...I work for ZUA....a ZF company.
We make sterring systems for BMW, MB, Nissan, Ford. interesting technology

 

[NFS4]

Originally posted by: Syringer

Originally posted by: NFS4

Umm not to get into arguing match..but Nissan's CVT has been out for a while. It's used on multiple models in Japan, ranging from their Skyline (G35) to other cars such as the Primera, etc..they also have considered using it on their next GTR (which I doubt will happen).

I could care less what they do in Japan That means nothing to me here in the US.

How does a 7-spd tranny do anything for you? I suppose you're going to go pick up one of these Mercedes next weekend?

How'd you know??

 

[mAdD INDIAN]

Originally posted by: NFS4

Originally posted by: Syringer

Originally posted by: NFS4

Umm not to get into arguing match..but Nissan's CVT has been out for a while. It's used on multiple models in Japan, ranging from their Skyline (G35) to other cars such as the Primera, etc..they also have considered using it on their next GTR (which I doubt will happen).

I could care less what they do in Japan That means nothing to me here in the US.

How does a 7-spd tranny do anything for you? I suppose you're going to go pick up one of these Mercedes next weekend?

How'd you know??

I call dibs on getting first ride!!

 

[Howard]

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN

Originally posted by: Howard

Originally posted by: mAdD INDIAN
Do they really need a 7-speed auto though? With the massive torque and broad powerband those engines make, you'd think a 5-spd auto would suffice. I'd say, instead of going for 7-spd, just go CVT. Infinite gears!

I guess Mercedes-Benz is just developing for marketing, they need to show they are one-up on the competition. It's a nice thing to brag about your 7-spd auto at the country club I guess.

No contemporary CVT will be able to handle that much torque.

Well that's why they should be working at making one. this is Mercedes Benz after all! I'm sure they can do it. Nissan tamed the CVT to work with 246 lb/ft of torque, so I'm sure Benz can make it handle 500lb/ft after time. I know Nissan uses chains rather than belts, however there is a problem with them in extreme temperatures.

I'll try to find the link that had the info.

Nissan has a different type of CVT that handles the 286 lb/ft in the turbo VQ6 in Japan. However, it's still a LONG, LONG stretch from 500 lb/ft.

 

[NFS4]

Mercedes-Benz will offer its seven-speed automatic transmission in a wide range of models, starting immediately after unveiling the new gearbox in the S500 at the Frankfurt motor show in September. In addition to the 5.0-liter V8-powered S500, look for the electronically controlled 7G-Tronic seven-speed as standard equipment in the E500, S430, CL500 and SL500. The new unit, the first production seven-speed, eventually will be offered on other Mercedes-Benz and Maybach models as production capacity increases. The seven-speed replaces the five-speed automatic Mercedes-Benz has used since 1995, and engineers say the tranny not only improves fuel economy but also cuts 0-to-60 acceleration times. One more neat trick: The gearbox offers two reverse ratios.

http://autoweek.com/cat_content.mv?port_code=autoweek&cat_code=carnews&loc_code=index&content_code=06326151
:Q

 

[BigSmooth]

Two reverse ratios? Why?

 

[Eli]

Originally posted by: BigSmooth
Two reverse ratios? Why?

It's just a perk. It could be useful for getting yourself un-stuck, or something like that.