Patent ID: 7610825

Claim:
A powertrain comprising: a transmission input member; a power source for generating a torque in the input member; a first intermediate shaft; a second intermediate shaft; a clutch selectively engagable to couple the transmission input member with one of the first and second intermediate shafts; a first and a second countershaft; a transmission housing having a front and rear wall for supporting the first and second intermediate shaft and the first and second countershaft; a first set of gears connected for common rotation with the first intermediate shaft and intermeshing with a first selectable set of gears to form a first plurality of co-planar gear sets, wherein each of the gears of the first selectable set of gears is connectable for common rotation with one of the first and second countershafts for selectively transferring the torque to the countershafts when the clutch is engaged; a second set of gears connected for common rotation with the second intermediate shaft and intermeshing with a second selectable set of gears to form a second plurality of co-planar gear sets, wherein each of the gears of the second selectable set of gears is connectable for common rotation with one of the first and second countershafts for selectively transferring the torque to one of the countershafts when the clutch is engaged; an output shaft disposed radially outward of the second intermediate shaft; and a first transfer gear coupled to one of the first and second countershafts for transferring torque from the first and second countershaft to the output shaft, and wherein one of the second plurality of co-planar gear sets that produces a first and third gear ratio is adjacent the rear wall of the transmission housing.