Multi-speed transmission

A multiple speed transmission, comprising:

• an input member;
• an output member;
• first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets each having a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier member;
• a plurality of interconnecting members each connected between at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets and at least another of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets;
• a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset with a stationary member;
• a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the first planetary gearset and the ring gear of the third planetary gearset with a stationary member;
• a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the third planetary gearset with a stationary member;
• a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the first planetary gearset and the sun gear of the second planetary gearset with the carrier member of the first planetary gearset and the ring gear of the third planetary gearset;
• and
• a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the third planetary gearset with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gearset and the ring gear of the first planetary gearset;
• wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of two to establish up to eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.

A multiple speed transmission, comprising:

• an input member;
• an output member;
• first, second, third and fourth planetary gearsets each having a sun gear, a ring gear, and a carrier member;
• a plurality of interconnecting members each connected between at least one of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets and at least another of the first, second, third, and fourth planetary gearsets;
• a first torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset with a stationary member;
• a second torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the carrier member of the first planetary gearset and the ring gear of the third planetary gearset with a stationary member;
• a third torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the third planetary gearset with a stationary member;
• a fourth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the first planetary gearset and the sun gear of the second planetary gearset with the carrier member of the first planetary gearset and the ring gear of the third planetary gearset;
• a fifth torque-transmitting mechanism selectively engageable to interconnect the sun gear of the third planetary gearset with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gearset and the ring gear of the first planetary gearset;
• a first interconnecting member of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnecting the carrier member of the first planetary gearset with the ring gear of the third planetary gearset;
• a second interconnecting member of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the first planetary gearset with the carrier member of the fourth planetary gearset;
• a third interconnecting member of the plurality of interconnecting members directly connected to the sun gear of the third planetary gearset;
• a fourth interconnecting member of the plurality of interconnecting members continuously interconnecting the ring gear of the second planetary gearset with the carrier member of the third planetary gearset and the ring gear of the fourth planetary gearset;
• and
• a fifth interconnecting member of the plurality of interconnecting members directly connected to the sun gear of the fourth planetary gearset;
• wherein the torque transmitting mechanisms are selectively engageable in combinations of two to establish up to eight forward speed ratios and one reverse speed ratio between the input member and the output member.