While General Motors and Ford are developing advanced ten-speed transmissions, Mercedes has revealed to Autocar that it doesn’t intend of going beyond nine speeds for its gearboxes.
The German carmaker is in the midst of introducing its nine-speed automatic throughout its range and the GLS. As it stands, AMG-branded models continue to use the marque’s seven-speed auto, but with the introduction of the next-generation E63 AMG next year, that will change as it will adopt a strengthened version of the nine-speed auto.
According to the 4Matic all-wheel drive system engineer for Mercedes-Benz, Marcus Sommer, the firm has concluded that its nine-speed automatic is the best gearbox of choice. That comes after the running of 81 billion different computer simulations for gearbox scenarios.
If the automaker is opting against 10-speed and above gearboxes, then it’s likely that its direct rivals will too.
Meanwhile, Ford and GM continue to push ahead with their jointly-developed 10-speed, set to be standard across the 2017 Ford F-150 range. There’s also a possibility that 2018 model year Ford Mustangs could use this 10-speed ‘box rather than the existing six-speed auto.
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