Hyundai Developing 10-speed Gearbox

Bloomberg News reported that Park Seong Hyon, president of Hyundai Motor Group, said that Hyundai and Kia are developing a 10-speed automatic transmission for luxury vehicles together.

The transmission is slated for upper end vehicles starting in 2014. Vehicles that may see the application of the 10-speed might include the Hyundai Genesis and the Equus.

The use of more gears is in line with automakers attempt to improve fuel economy. They also help vehicles meet stricter emissions standards.

In January of 2006, Lexus introduced the world’s first 8-speed transmission on its fourth generation LX460 at the Detroit Auto Show. Audi also offers an eight-speed automatic in some of its vehicles including the A7 and A8.

Chrysler Group LLC has announced that 2012 Dodge Chargers and Chrysler 300 large sedans will be equipped with ZF eight-speed automatic transmissions. The use of an 8-speed transmission will boost those vehicles highway fuel economy to 31 miles per gallon.

General Motors announced in May that it would build cars with 8-speed transmissions but they have not said which cars will get the transmissions.

Earlier this year, Hyundai launched an eight-speed automatic transmission in the 2012 Genesis and Equus sedans that was developed in-house. The announcement of the development of the 10-speed indicates that Hyundai will continue its in-house development of powertrain technologies as part of its product development.