One of the world’s finest transmission maker, ZF has come up with world’s first nine-speed automatic transmission for passenger vehicles equipped with a transversely mounted engine. The gearbox is similar to ZF’s eight speed automatic transmission that rear wheel drive cars from brands like Audi, Bentley, BMW, Range Rover and Rolls-Royce currently use. However, nine-speed gearbox will be better suited to front wheel drive cars and is expected to boost up fuel economy. As per ZF, the new transmission is all about short shifting times and is exceptionally smooth. It utilizes electronic controls to select a right gear as per the road condition and requirements, thus eliminating unnecessary stepping and constant shifting. On this occasion, ZF President and CEO, Hans-Georg Harter was quoted as saying,
ZF’s new nine-speed enables significant fuel economy improvements and delivers excellent performance characteristics for front-wheel drive vehicles.
Though details of nine speed-transmissions haven’t been revealed as of now and all we know is that this new nine-speed transmission is expected to enter the production in 2012. It would be built at a new manufacturing plant in South Carolina and double-digit improvement in fuel economy is expected.
Via: Motorward582654
