How much is too much when it comes to gears? Cars like the BMW 5-Series come with eight forward ratios now, which is already a lot, but you can count on someone trying to outdo that. That someone is Hyundai, which is reported to be developing a 10-speed automatic transmission. Yes, 10.
Bloomberg News reported Park Seong Hyon, president of Hyundai Motor Group, the umbrella company of Hyundai Motor Co and Kia Motors Corp, saying that they’re developing the said 10 speeder for future luxury vehicles starting in 2014.
These could possibly including the next Hyundai Genesis and Equus luxury sedans. ZF is rolling out a 9-speed auto in 2013, and this one will retake the lead, if no one else joins the race.
Automakers are increasingly using transmissions with more gears to cut fuel consumption and emissions, and this piece of news signals that the Korean carmaker is firmly on the path of developing its own transmissions, instead of picking one off the shelves of ZF, BorgWarner or Aisin.
The 6-speed slushbox servicing the current Sonata and Tucson is an in house effort, and earlier this year, Hyundai launched an self developed 8-speed auto for the 2012 Genesis and Equus sedans. But 10?
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AI-generated Summary ✨
Comments express skepticism and curiosity about Hyundai's 10-speed automatic transmission, with some deeming it a marketing gimmick and discussing the practical benefits of more gears for fuel efficiency and performance. Many point out that increasing gears does not necessarily mean higher top speeds or better acceleration, emphasizing the importance of torque and engine power. Several highlight that traditional automatics with fewer gears are still prevalent and reliable, while CVTs are considered more responsive and economical but possibly less suitable for high-torque vehicles. Concerns are also raised about complexity, maintenance costs, reliability, and real-world benefits, with some comparing Hyundai’s advancements favorably against outdated technologies used by other automakers. Overall, the comments reflect a mix of intrigue, skepticism, and technical debate over the value and practicality of 10-speed transmissions.