Patent ID: 8512196

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, wherein the output member is continuously interconnected to the second member of the third planetary gear set and the third member of the fourth planetary gear set; a first interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the first planetary gear set with the third member of the second planetary gear set; a second interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the first planetary gear set with the second member of the second planetary gear set; a third interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the second planetary gear set with the first member of the fourth planetary gear set; a fourth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the second member of the third planetary gear set with the third member of the fourth planetary gear set; a fifth interconnecting member continuously interconnecting the third member of the third planetary gear set with the second member of the fourth planetary gear set; and six torque transmitting mechanisms each selectively engageable to interconnect one of the first members, second members, and third members of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets with another of the first members, second members, third members of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gear sets, or a stationary member, and wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least three to establish at least eight forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member, and a first of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the second planetary gear set with the input member, a second of the six torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the first member of the first planetary gear set with the input member.