AMG, the sports division of Mercedes-Benz, offers a new type of transmission on the updated version of its 6.3-liter, V8-powered SL63 AMG luxury sports car.

AMG describes the Speedshift MCT 7 sports transmission as a new power transfer concept that combines the smoothness and convenience of a conventional planetary automatic with the direct sporty feedback of a dual-clutch or manual transmission.

Standing for multi-clutch technology, the MCT features a wet start-up clutch in place of
the conventional torque converter. This, claims AMG, has low rotational inertia and allows quick responses and high rpm – in the SL’s case up to 7200 rpm. Four drive modes
control shifts between the seven gear ratios: in C, for Comfort, the car starts off in second
gear and accelerator response is comparatively gentle. In Sport and Sport Plus response
is sharpened, gearshifts are 20 and 40 percent quicker, and higher revs are allowed.
Manual, finally, allows shifts in just 100 msec and there is no kickdown or automatic upshift.

Further programs allow race start and double-declutching functions. The MCT 7 is at present exclusive to the SL63 AMG, which develops 525 hp and 630 Nm torque.