Automotive

Land Rover introduces first 9-speed automatic gearbox

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The Range Rover Evoque, with the world's first 9-speed gearbox
The Range Rover Evoque, with the world's first 9-speed gearbox
Hydraulic vain pump
Exploded view of epicyclic gear sets and final drive gear
Section view of epicyclic gear sets
Side view of gearbox
3/4 view of gearbox
Section view of gearbox
Section view of gearbox
Side view of gearbox
Hydraulic vein pump
Section view of main shaft
The Range Rover Evoque, with the world's first 9-speed gearbox
The Range Rover Evoque, with the world's first 9-speed gearbox
The Range Rover Evoque, with the world's first 9-speed gearbox
The Range Rover Evoque, with the world's first 9-speed gearbox
3/4 view of gearbox
Rear and side views of the gearbox
View gallery - 17 images

Land Rover has announced that it will demonstrate the world's first nine-speed automatic transmission for a passenger car at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show. The ZF HP9 9-speed gearbox has a higher top gear in a more compact design, in order to fit in the same space as conventional 6-speed transmissions. According to Land Rover, it will also provide smoother gear shifts with improved accelerations and lower fuel consumption.

ZF has been working on the HP9 since 2011, but has been a bit coy as to what car maker it was intended for. Now it’s revealed that Land Rover is both the customer and lead partner for the new gearbox. Intended for use in front-transverse mounted engines, it’s based on ZF control technologies originally developed for the ZF 8HP gearbox.

By increasing the number of gears from the standard six to nine, ZF has produced a ratio spread of 9.3 with small ratio steps. Where a conventional 6-speed gearbox makes downshifts sequentially, Land Rover and ZF claim that the 9HP glides between gear changes almost imperceptibly. In addition, the lowest ratio is lower than that of a 6-speed and is more suitable for off-road use and steep inclines.

Rear and side views of the gearbox

The 9HP uses a modular design and a software-based transmission control unit. The reason for this is to allow the gearbox to fit into transverse engines without significant modifications to the car. Though the 9HP is 0.24 inches (6 mm) longer than a 6-speed gearbox, it weighs 16.5 pounds (7.5kg) less.

It manages this by using a nested planetary gearset with nine speeds, four simple gearsets and six shift elements. It also has a new, compact hydraulic vane-type pump and instead of conventional clutch packs is has two patented interlocking dog clutches – a first for a passenger car. A torque converter reduces vibration and provides oscillation isolation for more comfortable starting and shifting.

The increased gear ratios of the 9HP mean that cruising is possible at low engine speeds, which allows for smoother shifting. According to the partners, the 9HP’s “Fast-Off” mode monitors the rate of throttle release and if it anticipates a driver’s request for high power, it holds the gear shift if necessary. This provides shorter response times “below the threshold of perception” and quick shifts for improved start-up acceleration. It also monitors requests for downshifts and if the car is traveling too fast for the desired gear, it delays shifting until the speed drops.

3/4 view of gearbox

Land Rover and ZF say that the 9HP reduces acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) by two seconds over conventional 6-speeds and that it reduces fuel consumption by 12 percent for petrol SUVs and 16 percent for diesels, while keeping the engine running 700 rpms lower with corresponding reductions in emissions. The 9HP is also suitable for hybrid systems.

The 2013 Geneva Motor Show runs from March 7th to 17th.

Source: Land Rover

View gallery - 17 images
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7 comments
Slowburn
That thing is going to be shifting gears all the time the shifts had better be mild or it will get annoying real fast.
Joel Detrow
@Slowburn: "This provides shorter response times “below the threshold of perception” and quick shifts for improved start-up acceleration."
>below the threshold of perception
I really hope they license this design on the cheap so other manufacturers can use it in their cars. Better fuel economy for everyone makes us all better off!
Clay Jones
Boring. Nissan's CVT is much cooler and no shifting.
chopperdanny13
Wow,9 speeds and still lighter. I love that first is lower and 9th is higher than the existing gears, great for off-roading and cruising.
Clay, have you driven Nissan's CVT? No automotive testers like it and what is wrong with shifting?
Dexter31
It depends on the driving condition. Some people will be annoyed by the shifts. Some will love its climbing capacity and cruising economy.
Marke
"...reduces acceleration from 0 to 100 km/h (62 mph) by two seconds over conventional 6-speeds and that it reduces fuel consumption by 12 percent for petrol SUVs and 16 percent for diesels..."
These are huge improvements! Remarkable technology.
Intellcity
That vain pump must put out a lot of personality.