A multiple speed transmission, comprising: an input member; an output member; first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets (206, 208, 210, 212) each having first (214, 228, 238, 250), second (218, 232, 242, 254) and third (216, 230, 240, 252) members; a plurality of interconnecting members (222, 224, 226, 236, 246, 248) each connected between at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets (206, 208, 210, 212) and at least another of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets (206, 208, 210, 212); and first, second, third, fourth and fifth torque transmitting mechanisms (258, 260, 262, 264, 266) being selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member; wherein the first torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gearset with a stationary member; and wherein the second torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the third planetary gearset with the first member of the fourth planetary gearset, characterized in that the third torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gearset with the first member of the third planetary gearset; the fourth torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gearset with the second member of the third planetary gearset and the second member of the fourth planetary gearset; and the fifth torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gearset and the third member of the fourth planetary gearset with the first member of the second planetary gearset. an input member; an output member; first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets (206, 208, 210, 212) each having first (214, 228, 238, 250), second (218, 232, 242, 254) and third (216, 230, 240, 252) members; a plurality of interconnecting members (222, 224, 226, 236, 246, 248) each connected between at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets (206, 208, 210, 212) and at least another of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets (206, 208, 210, 212); and first, second, third, fourth and fifth torque transmitting mechanisms (258, 260, 262, 264, 266) being selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member; wherein the first torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gearset with a stationary member; and wherein the second torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the third planetary gearset with the first member of the fourth planetary gearset, characterized in that the third torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gearset with the first member of the third planetary gearset; the fourth torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gearset with the second member of the third planetary gearset and the second member of the fourth planetary gearset; and the fifth torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gearset and the third member of the fourth planetary gearset with the first member of the second planetary gearset.