Serious inquiry because I don't know anything about them except for what they do.

Do we need a 10 speed transmission? Is it considered better? Where do we stop on the amount of gears? Is it easier on the tranny and is it theoretically supposed to make it last longer?

If it lasts longer than I'm all for it. Just wondering why so many gears, I understand big machines and rigs need all the gear selections they can get but our trucks are half tons. I've also heard of cars going to them. Is the gas savings that much?

Or is all this just unnecessary advancement for the sake of it and bragging rights?

So again, what is the benefit of a 10 speed and what is overkill?

 

Primarily fuel economy. The engine has a point of peak efficiency... the more they can keep the engine at that point, the better. It also helps performance.

Technically, a CVT would be the best answer - but they have problems handling higher levels of torque. Plus, they make driving feel positively soulless.

 

More usable gears keep the engine in it's intended operating range whether that be fuel economy, towing, or performance. The gear ratio spread of this transmission is not much more than the previous 6-speed.

GM claims that the 10-speed in the Camaro, same guts as the F-150 one but with a different case and programming, can shift faster than Porsche's PDK gear box. Also with this transmission rolling out into anything rear wheel drive for Ford and a lot of upcoming GM vehicles, I'd say that they've probably hashed through most issues and ones that did not present themselves yet, will be taken care of in short order.

 

I think what they're trying to achieve with the 10-speed is ease of manufacturing. Why make 10 different transmissions when you can make 2 or 3 and put them in every car and just program them differently.

 

not only that but CVT's absorb more power than standard automatics do (i.e. driveline losses)...not very efficient.

Remember, most semis (while having a much narrower powerband) run more gears than 10.....15-18 gears!