A family of transmissions has three planetary gear sets controlled by five torque transmitting mechanisms that are selectively operable to provide six forward speed ratios and a reverse ratio between an input shaft and an output shaft. The planetary gear sets may be of the single or double pinion gear type and each include three members such as a sun gear member, a ring gear member and a planet carrier assembly member. First and second members of the first planetary gear set are continuously connected with respective first and second members of the second planetary gear set. A first member of the third planetary gear set is continuously connected to a stationary component. The input shaft is continuously connected to at least one member of one of the planetary gear sets and the output shaft is connected to at least one member of one of the planetary gear sets. The five torque transmitting mechanisms are engaged in pairs to provide selective interconnections between members of the planetary gear sets, the input shaft, the output shaft, and the stationary component.