Multi-step transmission

A multi-speed transmission of planetary construction for a motor vehicle, the transmission comprising:

• an input shaft (AN) and an output shaft (AB);
• first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets (RS1, RS2, RS3, RS4), at least first, second, third, fourth, fifth, sixth, seventh and eighth rotatable shafts (1, 2, 3, 4, 5, 6, 7, 8) as well as first, second, third, fourth and fifth shifting elements (A, B, C, D, E), whose selective engagement achieves various rotational speed ratios between the input and output shafts (AN, AB) so that eight forward speeds and at least one reverse speed can be achieved, whereby:
• a carrier (ST4) of the fourth planetary gearset (RS4) and the input shaft (AN) are rotationally affixed to one another and form the first shaft (1);
• a carrier (ST3) of the third planetary gearset (RS3) and the output shaft (AB) are rotationally affixed to one another and form the second shaft (2);
• a sun gear (SO1) of the first planetary gearset (RS1) and a sun gear (SO4) of the fourth planetary gearset (RS4) are rationally connected to one another and form the third shaft (3);
• a ring gear (HO1) of the first planetary gearset (RS1) forms the fourth shaft (4);
• a ring gear (HO2) of the second planetary gear (RS2) and a sun gear (SO3) of the third planetary gearset (RS3) are rotationally connected to one another and form the fifth shaft (5);
• a carrier (ST1) of the first planetary gearset (RS1) and a ring gear (HO3) of the third planetary gearset (RS3) are rotationally affixed to one another and form the sixth shaft (6);
• a sun gear (SO2) of the second planetary gearset (RS2) and a ring gear (HO4) of the fourth planetary gearset (RS4) are rotationally affixed to one another and form the seventh shaft (7);
• a carrier (ST2) of the second planetary gearset (RS2) forms the eighth shaft (8);
• the first shifting element (A) is located between the third shaft (3) and a housing (GG) of the transmission;
• the second shifting element (B) is located between the fourth shaft (4) and the housing (GG) of the transmission;
• the third shifting element (C) is located, in a power flow, between the fifth shaft (5) and the first shaft (1);
• the fourth shifting element (D) is located, in the power flow, either between the eighth shaft (8) and the second shaft (2) or between the eighth shaft (8) and the sixth shaft (6);
• and
• the fifth shifting element (E) is located, in the power flow, either between the seventh shaft (7) and the fifth shaft (5), or between the seventh shaft (7) and the eighth shaft (8) or between the fifth shaft (5) and the eighth shaft (8),
• wherein
• the second and the fourth planetary gearsets (RS2, RS4), when viewed in an axial direction, are located in a plane one radially above the other;
• the fourth planetary gearset (RS4) is located centrally within the second planetary gearset (RS2), and
• the second and the fourth planetary gearsets (RS2, RS4), when observed spatially, are located in an area axially between the first and the third planetary gearsets (RS1, RS3).