F01 7-series to get 8 speed automatic transmission.

[mapezzul]

In order to keep up with the Jones’ BMW has had to think a bit outside the box. Our sources indicate that the transmission BMW will utilize takes up the same amount of space as the current 6 speeds and will not use additional components. This has been made possible by a completely new transmission concept. We have learned that it utilizes four planetary gear sets and five transmission clutches. Two transmission clutches are unlocked per gear, thus resulting in greater efficiency and a higher overall transmission ratio.

It is touted as being smoother and will reduce fuel consumption by almost six percent; way to go Efficient Dynamics! Since it is the same size as the current 6 speeds, a larger hump or other invasions into the passenger cabin space is not necessary. The gear selector will also return to the console from its previous stalk location; a well welcomed change for many.- Bimmerfile (the original source)

There has been some new info obtained about the particulars of this transmission. Specifically it uses an new approach to autos in order to obtain higher efficiency in a package the same size as current 6 speeds. It will be used in all application, hybrid and x-drive further indicating the 7 will see these variants.

BMW explored other options but the 8 speed was the most efficient.

http://www.bimmerfile.com/2008/04/14...eed-automatic/

[Year's_End]

8 speeds is definitely one too many. Six speeds are fine, and I guess a seventh gear could be used for cruising, but eight is just overkill.

[KonigsTiger]

God I hope not, imagine all that shifting!

[mapezzul]

It is an auto and is going to be extremely smooth shifting. The 7 is not a performance model but a luxury car. The idea is to keep gas consumption down and ride quality up the transition between ratios will be smoother. I guess people just do not get it.

[x5love]

Originally Posted by BMW-M-Mexico

God I hope not, imagine all that shifting!

What 7 series driver is really that intenresnted in shifting? You can't even shift in the current 7 unless you use the button paddles on the steering wheel which are a major hassle to use anyway...

The shorter wheel base 7 will get the X5 shifter (as the spy pics show) and I'm assuming the 6-gear trans, that will shift fine. But the longer wheel base 7 with the 8 speed isn't meant for sporty drivers.

As many reports indicate BMW is really going to differentiate the short wheel base and long wheel base 7--mostly through interior design and execution. One will be the sport 7, and the other the luxury 7.

[Year's_End]

Originally Posted by mapezzul

It is an auto and is going to be extremely smooth shifting. The 7 is not a performance model but a luxury car. The idea is to keep gas consumption down and ride quality up the transition between ratios will be smoother. I guess people just do not get it.

I still think 8 is overkill. Unless it can solve the endless shifting for the proper gear problem (like in the Lexus LS), I would expect 7 to be just enough. Even if you're not shifting, the computer still has to sort out which gear to be in.

[Imola.ZHP]

lol, here is an easy fix, don't buy an F01...

Problem Solved!

Wouldn't bother me though, uh, if I could afford one; however, if there were a manual option, it would be the first pick...

[Dascamel]

Hmmm, imagine trying to rebuild the transmission.

[Bluesummer]

manufactures need to stop putting more gears than needed on new cars

[Minimization]

People do not get it. In a perfect world, a transmission would have an infinite number of gears. The problem with this is the finite time it takes to shift between gears and the finite room in the housing that each gear takes up. As technology progresses more gears have become standard. CVT are trying to achieve infinite gear ratios but they are only currently available for low torque/rpm applications.

I remember when people were claiming that 6 speed manuals were overkill and 5 speed manuals were just fine. They were not, actually. My '86 Scirocco GTX 16V cruised at 4,000/min at 80 mi/hr in fifth. It could have used six or seven gears back then.

You have lots of gears to optimize acceleration and a couple of overdrive gears for minimal fuel consumption in the 60-100 mi/hr cruising range.

Sportiness is not necessarily lost with eight gears. The M5 has 7 in the SMG III now, it's very sporty, and could probably use an eighth gear. They could crowd the first seven together to enhance accelerations all the way to Vmax (not just for 0-60 mi/hr) while putting an eight gear in to replace the existing top gear for cruising. I think ideally a car should redline in top gear right at the speed where it gets drag-limited (Vmax).

[Etnies]

Hope it works...

[335destroyer]

that'll be pretty cool, but doesnt the isf have 8 speed auto

[lux.sh]

For those saying 8speed is overkill...

Im sure those smartass BMW engineers know way more than you do.
it did say "they explored other options, but 8spd was most efficient".

[Year's_End]

Wow, I never doubted the "smartass" BMW engineers. I'm just sayin that the Lexus LS has troubles with the amount of gears it has, and that it's continuously sorting through them.

I'm not saying that that will dictate the future of this transmission.

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

Wow, I never doubted the "smartass" BMW engineers. I'm just sayin that the Lexus LS has troubles with the amount of gears it has, and that it's continuously sorting through them.

I'm not saying that that will dictate the future of this transmission.

yeah, I remember reading an article about 7spd tranny causing some trouble.
Im sure BMW is aware of such problem. lets see how they work it out.

[Year's_End]

The LS actually uses an 8spd.^

[ianbiz]

they need 10.

[BK]

I feel like 8 gears is too many, too. Although, I read a review of the DCT M3 that mentioned the author was cruising in 7th gear at 65 mph and was at... I don't know, maybe 3.5K RPM? Whatever it was, it seemed awfully high in the RPMs, even for an 8400 RPM car. Maybe an 8th gear would be worthwhile for saving gas on long highway trips.

[lux.sh]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

The LS actually uses an 8spd.^

thank you for correcting. I went back into my bathroom where all my magazines are to confirm.

[Year's_End]

LOL^

[mapezzul]

Originally Posted by Bimmer Loyalist

Wow, I never doubted the "smartass" BMW engineers. I'm just sayin that the Lexus LS has troubles with the amount of gears it has, and that it's continuously sorting through them.

I'm not saying that that will dictate the future of this transmission.

You are correct in stating the LS, ISF has issues with "hunting" for gears. The Aisan sourced unit those cars use is just the same old transmission with a few extra gears.

BMW specifically did not want this issue to occur and that is why they have not had more than a 6 auto until well... this is released. The new design is more efficient and the shifting will be smoother and decisive, they would have it no other way.

The gearing will be specific to the car, as well as the programs.

[jhv]

Originally Posted by 335destroyer

but doesnt the isf have 8 speed auto

...? yes.