BMW Says Eight Speeds In An Automatic Is Enough For Now

BMW is convinced its current transmission policy of eight-speed automatics, seven-speed dual-clutches and six-speed manuals is the perfect combination, according to its small and midsize cars boss, Klaus Frolich.

Speaking to Auto Express at the launch of the new X4 and 4 Series Gran Coupe – both of which offer an eight-speed ‘Sport Auto’ paddleshifter option – Frolich expressed scepticism at the gearbox policies of rivals Jaguar Land Rover, Mercedes and Cadillac, all of whom are working on transmissions offering nine or more forward speeds.

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uhn2000 - 5/27/2014 12:20:58 PM

+1 Boost

Go BMW :)

CarCrazedinCali - 5/27/2014 1:24:00 PM

+2 Boost

agreed, I don't need more than the 8 gears I have now

jeffgall - 5/27/2014 2:11:23 PM

+1 Boost

I just want 6 in a manual. Unfortunately, according to the BMW USA website, I cannot get this in a 428i xdrive grand coupe.

Sciros - 5/27/2014 2:26:35 PM

+1 Boost

Psshh yea whatever, with BMW's recent penchant for filling in gaps that don't even exist, and with CVTs having "infinite" gears, they have infinite transmissions left to build to fill that gap and they know it.

MattDarringer - 5/27/2014 4:47:15 PM

0 Boost

The problem with a CVT is that they tend to be less well behaved than a conventional automatic. In consumer clinics, the average Joe prefers the regular automatic. A CVT is not "infinite". That is a misinterpretation of the basic idea of a CVT. It is instead "variable" i.e. not stepped, but the range from low to high is the bottom line in any transmission.

TomM - 5/27/2014 5:15:44 PM

+1 Boost

Last time I looked - BMW doesn't actually make automatic transmissions
And it is true that for years - General Motors was among its suppliers for Automatic transmissions as well.

So - Bmw doesn't really need to consider something until it becomes available on the open market - does it?

Sciros - 5/27/2014 5:19:53 PM

+2 Boost

Yeah I know I'm just poking fun at BMW. And yeah CVTs aren't really loved yet because apparently a lot of them are pretty rubbish (I have a high-torque one in my FXT and it's actually very good but so far that seems to be atypical). As for the manufacturers trying to go with 9+ stepped gears, I guess that's just them trying to go for slightly-easier-to-optimize fuel economy without going all the way to a CVT. But yes there is such a thing as too many stepped gears as far as the experience goes (clicking on the right paddle ten times as you accelerate on a freeway on-ramp might be a bit much).