Patent ID: 8277354

Claim:
A transmission comprising: an input member; an output member; first, second, third and fourth planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members; a plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnecting one of the first members, second members, and third members of the planetary gear sets with another one of the first members, second members, and third members of the planetary gear sets, and a stationary element; a first torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gear set with the first member of the fourth planetary gear set; a second torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set; a third torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the third planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set; a fourth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set; and a fifth torque transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the second planetary gear set with the stationary element, and wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are each 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.