Range Rover Evoque to get 9-speed gearbox

The Land Rover Range Rover Evoque will be the first passenger car to be the recipient of a nine-speed automatic gearbox. Land Rover has worked together with ZF, widely recognised as the world leader in transmission technology, to come out with this 9HP transmission. Initially, 9-speed gearbox will replace the existing six-speed units on the all-wheel-drive versions of the Evoque and we will see it in the other models soon.

6 mm longer and 7.5 kgs lighter than the six-speed gearbox, the 9HP boasts of closer  gear ratios which are said to improve acceleration response, reduce noise, not to forget bring refinement to the shift quality.

It also comes with a skip-shift function which allows the gears to skip under rapid deceleration or when you decide to plant your foot hard on the accelerator thus ensuring smooth shifts and a refined driving experience. The gearbox is intelligent enough to recognise driving styles, so gear shifts are quicker if you are in a hurry and more relaxed when you are in cruise mode.

The 9HP will also add to the off-road capability of the Evoque, says Landrover , not to mention improved fuel economy and reduced CO2 emissions.