6-Speed automatic transmission for the new BMW 7-Series

Transmission technology is currently going through a very creative phase. Numerous new concepts, such as automated manual transmissions, continuously variable transmissions, traction transmissions or twin-clutch transmissions, have been introduced and are placing in question the conventional stepped automatic gearbox as the state of the art. However, a glance at the history of engineering shows that, generally speaking, it was not the revolutionary developments but rather the evolutionary path of further development that was the most successful. This article describes the path that BMW, together with the system supplier ZF, has taken in the development of the new 6-speed stepped automatic gearbox, which is to make its debut in the premiere of the new 7-Series. This path pursues the application of evolutionary further development of the stepped automatic gearbox, albeit with some revolutionary highlights.