Patent ID: 8708859

Claim:
A transmission comprising: an input member; an output member; first, second and third planetary gear sets each having first, second and third members, wherein the input member is continuously connected to the third planetary pear set and the output member is continuously connected to the third planetary gear set; a first interconnecting member continuously interconnects 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 second planetary gear set with the third planetary gear set; and four torque transmitting mechanisms each selectively engageable to interconnect at least one of the first, second, and third members with at least one other of the first, second, third members and a stationary member, and a first of the four torque transmitting mechanisms is selectively engageable to interconnect the second member of the first planetary gear set and the third member of the second planetary gear set with the third member of the third planetary gear set; and wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of at least two to establish at least five forward speed ratios and at least one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.