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Market trends clearly demonstrate the ongoing worldwide acceptance and success of modern automatic transmission solutions (AT, CVT, DCT) in both passenger cars and light trucks. This success is based on the further development of the driving comfort, shifting dynamics and - most important - the fuel consumption reduction modern automatic transmission systems offer. First, key driveline parameters such as overall spread and number of ratio's are to be discussed. The optimum spread for the fuel efficiency is in the range of about 8 to 9 and can typically be achieved by 8 to 10-speed transmissions. This is because modern gasoline or diesel-engines have a rather flat characteristic fuel map. Therefore the inner efficiency of the future transmissions becomes increasingly important.

The legislative and market pressure for CO2 reduction and fuel efficient powertrains lead to a variety of automatic transmission concepts in recent years. The CVT technology, the dual clutch technology (DCT) and optimized architectures of torque converter / planetary gear based automatic transmissions (AT), such as 6, 7, and 8 speed ATs entered the market in the last decade. Also different hybrid technologies have entered the market offering further improvement for fuel consumption especially in city driving. Helpful for OEMs and suppliers to flexibly meet market demands proofed the use of modular hybrid solutions. Clear demand to meet were packages of existing vehicles and powertrains with AT and hybrid transmission (HT), e.g. the modular transmission kit based on the ZF 8 speed AT. Hybrid technology is offering fuel efficiency benefits, but there are also reasons for a slow market penetration.

The worldwide increasing acceptance and success of modern automatic transmissions in passenger cars is based on innovative technology, driving comfort, shifting dynamic and - most important - fuel consumption reduction. New concepts are facing the challenge of further improvements in internal efficiency and very tough future goals on CO2 emissions in connection with more sophisticated gasoline and diesel engine technologies. Based on the competition and current diversity in automatic transmission concepts, high investments in production facilities must be taken also well into account when thinking about follow-up technologies of installed 8-speed and 9-speed technologies. This must also be considered for the different demands in regions and markets. So, how may a successful automatic transmission system look like in 2020 and beyond? Do we have even more gears than the current 8-speed and 9-speed? Does it make sense to increase the total gear ratio any further?

In September 2003, the Mercedes Car Group set another milestone by introducing the fifth generation of automatic transmissions developed and manufactured in-house since 1960. The world's first 7-speed automatic transmission 7G-TRONIC is featured in the Mercedes-Benz S, SL, CL and E-Classes with V8 gasoline engines. Deduced from the demands of the requirement specifications, the 5-speed automatic transmission was decisively improved; the result is a clear increase in spontaneity, agility, fuel economy, and driving comfort for the customer. And because of the harmony between the vehicle and its powertrain, excellent results in the areas of performance, reduced emissions, comfort, and acoustics are obtained.

One of the world's most noble and high quality automobile brands is being revived: Maybach Aestetics, poise, perfection and technical brilliance founded the reputation of the magnificient Maybach sedans and convertibles, whose “Zeppelin” flagship, with a length of around 5.50 metres, was once the most prestigious German passenger car on the road - “an automobile which fulfills every last desire with refined elegance and power”, as the luxury automobile brand's brochure stated in 1934. DaimlerChrysler now feels obliged to live up to these high standards. As cornerstones of this vehicle concept, focus was placed on the topics of design, comfort, spatial availability, safety, exclusiveness and extra-ordinary performance. A major role was given to the powertrain in order to meet outstanding driving comfort and agility.