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) 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); a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the fourth planetary gearset with a stationary member; a second torque-transmitting mechanism; a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the third planetary gearset with a stationary member; a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the first planetary gearset and the first member of the second planetary gearset with the second member of the first planetary gearset and the third member of the third planetary gearset; and a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism; wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms (258, 260, 262, 264, 266) are 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; characterized in that the second torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gearset and the third member of the third planetary gearset with a stationary member; and the fifth torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the third planetary gearset with the second member of the fourth planetary gearset and the third member of the first 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) 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); a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the fourth planetary gearset with a stationary member; a second torque-transmitting mechanism; a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the third planetary gearset with a stationary member; a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the first planetary gearset and the first member of the second planetary gearset with the second member of the first planetary gearset and the third member of the third planetary gearset; and a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism; wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms (258, 260, 262, 264, 266) are 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; characterized in that the second torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gearset and the third member of the third planetary gearset with a stationary member; and the fifth torque-transmitting mechanism is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the third planetary gearset with the second member of the fourth planetary gearset and the third member of the first planetary gearset.