8 Speed Gearbox for Next Generation Seven Series.

The next generation of the BMW 7 Series will have a 8 speed automatic transmission
gearbox according to consultancy firm, CSM World Wide. ZF Friedrichshafen, the
manufacturer of BMW driveline components have already begun developing the next
generation gearbox for launch as early as 2009.

This looks to be quite a round up against the other players in the market such
as the Mercedes-Benz S Class with it’s 7 speed gearbox in 2003, and lately the
Lexus LS460 which was just released with the world’s first 8 speed gear box,
which was developed by Aisin.

BMW Spokesman Wieland Bruch commented "…When it comes to the number
of speeds, we will not be left behind by the competition…" The new
gearbox offers additional benefits to fuel economy and will be initially built
at ZF’s Saarbrucken plant in Germany.