Land Rover to Unveil the World’s First Nine-Speed Automatic Transmission

At the 2013 Geneva Motor Show, Land Rover will unveil an all-new nine-speed transmission. The new transmission — named the ZF 9HP — is designed to fit on transverse-mounted-engine setups, like the Range Rover Evoque. This is the first ever nine-speed automatic transmission offered for a passenger vehicle and it is one of the most efficient and technically advanced transmissions ever used in a production vehicle.

The new transmission was developed in cooperation with ZF and, thanks to the added gear ratios, it helps significantly improve fuel economy and CO2 emissions, while also reducing the engine's noise when cruising at high speed. The new transmission also delivers improved response during acceleration, improved shift quality, drive and refinement.

Despite being more efficient than the outgoing six-speed transmission, the new 9HP transmission is just 6 mm (0.2 inches) longer and weighs 7.5 kilos (16.5 lbs) less. The new transmission also features lots of innovative features that help improving its efficiency, including: a new hydraulic vane-type pump, two patented dog clutches replacing bulkier conventional clutch packs, and an intelligently nested gear set.

Full details will be unveiled during the official unveiling in Geneva.