The design of the transmission results in poor shifting comfort, which does not meet Mercedes-Benz standards.
Beside the new layout the number of pinions is doubled from 3 to 6 to handle the much higher torque of the big block V8 engine.
After the satisfactory experience with the new design, it was adopted in 1967 for the new core model K4C 025 (Type 722.2) of the first automatic transmission series from Mercedes-Benz.
With the small block V8 engine M 116, the K4A 040 (Type 722.2) was launched as a more powerful version of the same design.
[7] The main difference is the use of straight-cut planetary gearsets instead of helical-cut ones for better fuel efficiency at the price of lower noise comfort.
The free space therefore is used to reinforce the shift elements (brakes and clutches) to handle the higher torque of the V8 engines.
For the 3-speed models[a] 7 main components[b] are used, which shows economic equivalence with the direct competitor.