Mercedes-Benz introduced the first production car with a seven-speed automatic transmission: the 7G-Tronic.
Mercedes-Benz unveiled the 7G-Tronic, also known internally as the 722.9, in 2003. It was the first seven-speed automatic transmission used in a production passenger vehicle, initially appearing in several V8-powered models.
The transmission first reached cars including the E 500, S 430, S 500, CL 500, and SL 500. Its extra ratio gave engineers more flexibility to keep the engine near an efficient operating speed while also improving acceleration and cruising refinement.
The “seven-speed” claim refers to forward gears in an automatic transmission, not to the first automobile transmission of any kind with seven ratios. Earlier racing, manual, and experimental transmissions can make broader versions of the question misleading. Mercedes-Benz later expanded 7G-Tronic availability across much of its range.