Range Rover Evoque equipped with 9-speed auto 'box to debut at Geneva

The Range Rover Evoque will be the first production car to be equipped with a 9-speed automatic gearbox when it hits the floor at the upcoming 2013 Geneva Motor show. The ‘9HP’ 9-speed gearbox, designed and developed by German transmission manufacturer ZF, is the world’s first 9-speed automatic gearbox.

The 9-speed auto ‘box equipped Evoque will make its debut early next year and will eventually make its way into rest of the Land Rover and Range Rover range of models. Thanks to the extra set of ratios, Land Rover says this new revolutionary gearbox will offer significant improvement in fuel economy over the current 6-speed unit.

What’s also impressive is the fact that the new gearbox weighs 7.5 kg less than the current 6-speed unit and that it can downshift two gears at once, thereby improving control under braking.