Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

2015 CLS will be first US Mercedes to get 9-speed

Earlier this week, we heard that Mercedes-Benz will be introducing its nine-speed automatic transmission in Europe, but while this 9G-Tronic will first launch over there in the E-Class, we'll get our first crack at this gearbox in the 2015 CLS-Class. According to Edmunds, the nine-speed CLS will go on sale in the US next fall before eventually spreading to almost all other Mercedes models, but there is no word as to when this would occur.

The current CLS uses a seven-speed automatic, and the 9G-Tronic's extra gears will help improve fuel economy. Looking ahead, Mercedes said in a press release that this transmission is suitable for use in a broad range of models, both rear- and all-wheel drive and even hybrid and plug-in vehicles.

http://www.autoblog.com/2013/07/27/2...o-get-9-speed/

whoster

Was it 2006 when the Germans dismissed 8 forward gears as too much?

Stormwind

I would wait a few years before getting cars with this 9g transmission just like 7g it will have some issues (although none are major) that they won't find out until after a few years in use.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

True, initially their 7-Speed was a little buggy. It's pretty solid now

RXSF

the 9 speed is supposed to go into the 2015 S class as well, not with the launch year of the 2014. The old mercedes would have just said to put it into the new S class, but it looks like now that they care about reliability, they are willing to hold off putting it in for a year.

I8ABMR

9 speed ? WOW. These engineers are doing whatever need to improve economy while maintaining performance. I just hope its reliable. Lexus nailed it with their 8 speed back in the day. Seems like Mercedes needs a little more time when they try the newer designs with more gears

gengar

Yep. And some reviewers and writers ate that all up when Lexus debuted the 8-speed. But as we know, many of these "enthusiasts" will do whatever it takes to bash anything with a Lexus badge.

I never understood the complaints because anything over 6 was just a pure overdrive gear for gas mileage purposes anyway. In that sense, does it matter how many gears a car has? If you don't like changing gears, then put it in manual mode - problem solved. Reliability is the only concern.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

It's truly a shame that Lexus pioneered the 8-Speed, and are among the last to implement it in their full line-up

spwolf

didnt 7 speed get busted all the time few years back to the point of MB still having 5 speed options and people buying those? I remember checking E class for a friend maybe 2009 or so and everyone over MB forums was recommending 5 speed as 7 had major failures.

RXSF

yeah the original 1st implementation of the 7g had more than a few bugs, they were constantly being replaced for transmission failure.

LexBob2

I'm sure there is some business reason for it, but it's funny they haven't expanded its use.

Hoovey689

iTrader: (16)

you'd think it'd be cheaper to manufacture 1 transmission vs 2. Not to mention with CAFE, that extra bump in fuel economy over all models by 1 or 2 mpg would help no doubt