Hyundai developing 10-speed auto

Earlier this year Hyundai slotted an eight-speed automatic transmission into its Genesis premium sedan – of which we drove the pre-update model – but the South Korean carmaker is now reportedly working on an industry-first 10-speed auto.

According to a Bloomberg report, Hyundai and sister company Kia are aiming to have the 10-speeder ready by 2014. The report quoted Hyundai Motor Group president Park Seong Hyon as saying the new gearbox will likely be used in the Genesis (pictured) and Equus sedans.

As per the eight-speed unit that currently features in the Genesis, the new transmission will be developed in-house by Hyundai, which means it could enjoy handy bragging rights over other premium brands (at least for a while).

Lexus was the first manufacturer to offer an eight-speed transmission in its LS sedan, but others such as BMW, Audi and Jaguar have since followed suit by adopting the ZF-built 8HP unit. Chrysler is also set to use this transmission in its upcoming models.

ZF is hardly sitting on its thumbs in the meanwhile, and the German transmission specialist earlier this year announced it was on the verge of launching a nine-speed auto for vehicles with transverse installed engines.
 
The company claims the new transmission will boost performance and economy while offering “extremely short response and shifting times that are clearly below the threshold of perception”.

However, news of Hyundai’s plans to go one better with its 10-speed unit is further proof of the South Korean manufacturer’s growing emergence as a techno powerhouse.

One wonders where the transmission one-upmanship will end? Will we eventually have cars with 15 or more ratios…?

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