Mercedes-Benz Patent Application Suggests New Eight-Speed Auto On The Way

The fight against emissions and fuel consumption means too may forward ratios are never enough, and Mercedes-Benz is reportedly the latest to squeeze another gear into one of its automatic transmissions.

A patent application by the German carmaker, unearthed by Auto Guide, has attempted to lock in the “8G-Tronic” name, which would accompany the company’s existing 9G- and 7G-Tronic transmissions.

As the name suggests, the transmission would most likely be an eight-speed automatic, in the same way that the 7G and 9G also indicate the number of gears available to the driver.

Whether Benz wants to slot the eight-speeder into its range or use it to replace the 7G transmission is unclear. As mentioned, the never-ending chase for lower emissions may force Benz’s hand and the seven-speed auto’s days may be numbered.

Automatics