Land Rover has confirmed that it will fit the world's first nine-speed automatic gearbox to the Evoque SUV. The new ZF unit will debut at the Geneva Motor Show and will likely be fitted to larger Land Rover models in time. It will replace the Evoque's existing six-speed unit, most likely debuting in 2014.
The extra ratios are said to make significant improvement in fuel economy and a corresponding reduction in CO2 emissions while smaller steps between ratios give improved response during acceleration, improved shift quality, drive and refinement. The higher top gear not only reduces fuel consumption but the lower engine revs improve comfort and reduce noise when cruising at high speed.
Despite offering three more ratios the new unit is only 6mm longer than the one it will replace and weighs 7.5kg less. It also has the ability to 'learn' the owner's driving style, holding on to gears and quickening shifts if necessary.