[serialk11r]

I think it's not a gimmick though. Toyota is pairing the 1NR-FE with a wide ratio 6 speed in non-US markets, and that thing only has barely over 100hp. 5 speeds I can see being okay with a 1L engine or something like that, but a 6 speed makes a lot of sense for basically all US market engines and a 7 speed makes sense for sporty cars with potent engines (e.g. Honda S2000 cruises at 4000rpm, even if you spaced out the gearing like an eco car you would not be running very reasonable rpms).

Obviously this is a fuel economy forum but closer ratios in a manual transmission does make it easier to shift and more enjoyable to do so, and it is also good for performance. More gears is better, if you're talking stick shift. Automatic, I don't really care because I'd rather have a Toyota Hybrid eCVT, or series hybrid, but if the industry thinks 8 speed autos aren't hard to make and are worth it then they're worth it.