Honda Patents An 11-Speed, Triple Clutch Gearbox — Way Of The FUTURE Or A Bit SCARY?

Does anyone remember 2-speed automatics? Today, 8 and 9 speed units are common. Multi-geared automatic transmissions are a compromise until a suitable constantly-variable transmission (CVT) can be developed. CVTs already exist and work well in smaller cars. CVT on an internal combustion engine is as good as IC will get. And they're just a stopgap until feasible EVs replace them.

There will always be a need for cars that can easily handle long distance drives - something EV's cannot do - nor is it likely they will ever do that EASILY until very fast charge times (minutes) become available. I think we will see replaceable Batteries before we see that. And that is why there will be gas engine cars for decades to come. As countries move towards EVs for short trip - the price of gas will decline - making them less costly to run - Again.

I still rebuild 2 speed automatics for race cars - and today those parts are getting harder and harder to come by. With the upcoming 8,9,10 speed automatics they are simply better than CVTs of today - Last a lot longer - and are more repairable too. I really really DESPISE the CVT in my Hybrid - and will not accept one in the next car I choose either.

However - the 11 speed trans is the wave of the future. For decades people have been predicting the end to the age of the gas/diesel automobile- and it has not come yet - nor is it likely to come soon. AN EV today simply cannot replace all automobiles -especially for long distance trips. THere may be more EVs as second cars - but I still question whether they will ever become the ONLY one.

TomM: While I agree with you that *today's* EVs are not feasible for most people, and that *today's* CVTs are in their infancy...

Whenever I hear people assert "never", I'm reminded of the days when people asserted that we'd never land on the moon, leave the solar system, perform surgery on the chest cavity, break the four-minute-mile, SSDs will never catch on because they're too expensive, EVs will always be limited by heavy lead-acid batteries and a range of a few dozen miles, etc., etc.

The problem with accurately predicting the future, is that we are limited by today's thinking.

TheSteve- My post does not include the word "never". I have been a transmission rebuilder for over 50 years - and I have seen "advances" in that technology enough to know that the possibilities of the future are nearly endless. Some missteps have also been comical too.

My point was that - in the near future - electric vehicles do have a slot that they can fill - BUT - there is still a clear use and need for gasoline engine vehicles - ie long distance drives. I still at least 4 times a year - make the drive from Central New Jersey to Central Florida - in less than one day straight through - stopping only for rest room stops - food - and gas. No EV could do that today - and it is unlikely that will be a priority for the near future - they are really replacements for local commutes and local driving now.

I could tell you you some horror stories about things that went wrong with new transmissions - but in reality - the opposite - the new transmissions have become increasingly more reliable - with failure rates at about 10% of what they once were. Your local Aamco transmission shop had to branch out into general repairs because these things simply do not break down at the high rate they once did. ANd they would break down even less if people added external Trans fluid coolers /in vehicles they drive heavily loaded or for long distances too. Today - more than 90% of automatic transmissions actually go from the dealer/new - to the junkyard/old -without being touched - not even a fluid change (Which I recommend early on for new electronic transmissions). I do not car what type of mechanical device you have - there will "ALWAYS" be some metal to metal contact and normal wear at these points. Today's transmissions are run by sophisticated solenoids - which are basically magnetic switches - that cycle often more than 60 times per second. THese magnetic device attract the small metal particles that the mechanical device gives off - especially during its break-in. Of course - remove the power - and you actually can flush these out with a fluid change - which will keep a transmission running better longer.

When this mongrel transmission comes out, lease rather than buy so they can work the issues out.

At least it's not another horrible CVT from Honda.

Steering wheel paddles on an 11 gear transmission would be like lipstick on a pig.

These go to 11.

Sorry, had to.