June 16, 2014
James R. Healey

The auto universe has shifted from four- and five-speed automatics to eight-speed gearboxes with remarkable speed.

Six-speed automatics, though still widespread, barely had time to claim status as exotic gearboxes before they were leafrogged..

Chrysler Group pioneered the eight-speed transmission in mainstream models, beginning with the 2012 Dodge Charger and Chrysler 300.

Now, Chrysler wants us to know how much benefit that has delivered, or eventually will: reduced fuel consumption by 700 million gallons of gasoline at a savings of $2.5 billion. The qualifier: "Over their lifetimes, vehicles equipped with TorqueFlight eight-speed transmissions are project to save their owners" the stated amounts, collectively and globally.

Source
USA Today