At the Geneva International Motor Show next week, Land Rover will showcase its new 9-speed automatic transmission, developed courtesy of their new partnership with German gearbox specialists, ZF. Does that mean Range Rover are going to offer a front-wheel drive Evoque?
ZF’s new 9-speed auto offering has been developed primarily for transverse engine configurations, accommodating front-wheel drive models, all-wheel drive and hybrid applications, but only in the future. For Land Rover, in the case of the Range Rover Evoque, the transmission will replace the 6-speed unit currently in use, bringing further improvements to fuel efficiency and driving refinement.
The new ZF auto will handle anything between 270 Nm and 480 Nm of torque, while bringing fuel consumption improvements of up to 16% over the 6-speed option. In an all-wheel-drive configuration, the gearbox offers a rear-wheel disconnect function that can cut power to the rear wheels, producing a 5% fuel consumption saving all on its own.
Rather brilliantly, despite adding more cogs, the new shifter is only 6 mm longer than the current 6-speed item. Clever lightweight construction means it actually weighs 7.5 kg less than the 6-speed it replaces. The upgrade also introduces a lower first ratio than before, which was developed specifically for the Evoque’s off-road and towing application.
The 9-speed ZF gearbox has a skip-shift function for quicker downshifting under rapid deceleration, or from greater driver input demands. ZF say the system learns the driver’s style, sharpening up during brisk driving then slipping seamlessly into a more economical regime just as quickly when needed.
Land Rover’s up-take of the new 9-speed transmission will be joined by Honda and Chrysler in the near future.
