What a ten-speed tranny looks like

Lexus will use a new 10-speed transmission supplied by Aisin in its LC 500 luxury sport coupe whose V8 will produce about 470 hp, This is an inside look at the tranny. Visible here are its major stages such as: the torque converter (left), the planetary gearsets and clutch plates (center). Higher end vehicles are trending toward the use of ten-speed automatics like this one because more gears provide an opportunity to have super-short shift ratios for nice acceleration from a standing start, yet retain several progressively taller shift ratios for economical low engine RPM cruising at high speeds. The use of several gear ratios eliminates use of big steps between each ratio which can labor the engine and reduce its efficiency/fuel economy.
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