Range Rover Evoque gets 9-Speed auto ‘box

Land Rover are to fit a new 9-speed automatic gearbox from ZF to the 2014 Range Rover Evoque. Will show at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.

There are some of us old enough to remember cars that had three-speed ‘boxes, and it only seems five minutes since five-speed manual ‘boxes became the norm.

But now we’re seeing 7-speed manual boxes and eight-speed auto ‘boxes proliferating as car makers look for a more economical solution that gives decent responses and a smoother drive. Now, Land Rover are to fit a nine-speed automatic ‘box – developed by ZF – to the 2014 Range Rover Evoque, replacing the Evoque’s current six-speed ‘box.

The new 9-speed auto will offer improvements in economy, responsiveness and be quieter on motorway runs, with a very long top gear which should see big improvements in economy on a run and improve economy overall, something that won’t hurt in the Evoque one bit. The bottom gear is also shorter for improved off-road grunt.

The new 9-speed ‘box will also be able to jump two cogs at a time for quicker acceleration or under braking, so being baulked on a motorway with the Evoque cruising in its long top gear shouldn’t mean mashing the pedal to the floor to recover speed.

The Range Rover Evoque with the new 9-speed ZF automatic gearbox will be on Land Rover’s stand at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.