The optimised 7G-TRONIC 7-speed automatic transmission is employed in the new 8-cylinder engine in the CL 500 BlueEFFICIENCY. The spontaneous response characteristics and optimum acceleration enhance comfort and driving pleasure. You will barely feel the gearshifts. One of the benefits of the seven ratio steps is a reduction in average engine speed. This in turn contributes to lower fuel consumption and reduced noise levels.

In the new CL 63 AMG the AMG SPEEDSHIFT MCT 7-speed sports transmission is optimised for delivering power to the rear wheels. The high-tech transmission offers a combination of unique functions, providing the driver with complete freedom. In addition to its extremely fast and spontaneous multiple downshifts and automatic double-declutching function it also offers three individual drive programmes. Controlled Efficiency, or "C" for short, stands for a driving mode which is dedicated to optimising fuel consumption, specifically in combination with the new Controlled Efficiency start/stop function, which can temporarily switch off the engine, or with alternator management, which uses kinetic energy from braking or coasting to recharge the battery. In contrast the "S“ (Sport) and "M“ (Manual) modes increase driving enjoyment and dynamism. They allow for gear changes in less than 100 ms thanks to partial cut-off of individual cylinders during upshifts. A compact wet start-up clutch replaces the usual torque converter. As a result movements of the accelerator pedal are then translated directly to propulsion with the best possible traction. Just as you would expect from an AMG, it boasts a powerful, resonant engine sound.

The CL 600 and CL 65 AMG with the powerful V12 biturbo powerplant employ a 5-speed automatic transmission to effectively deliver the maximum torque of 1000 Nms (for CL 65 AMG) to the road. It allows for extremely smooth gear changes and adapts completely to your personal driving style.

You can choose between the transmission modes of Economy, Sport and Manual to adapt the shifting characteristics to your individual wishes (Economy mode available only for CL 600). In Manual mode you can also use the steering wheel gearshift paddles to change gear up or down manually. The current gear is always shown in the instrument cluster.