Photo: ZF
The world of automatic transmissions is dominated today by the brilliant ZF 8-Speed gearbox. It's being used on every BMW model throughout the German company's line-up, excepting the M models that used the DCT system.
Not only that but the same gearbox is used by other various manufacturers including Audi and other heavyweight names. However, the guys from ZF Friedrichshafen are not about to give up on R&D and they announced a while back that a 9-Speed unit will soon be used by Fiats and Land Rovers.
Where does that leave BMW? Well, the Bavarians will most likely get the new unit for their upcoming FWD cars, starting with 2015 most likely. Since the engineers from ZF claim that the new unit was developed with transverse engines in mind, this would also be perfect for the upcoming MINI, even though BMW already said that the Mk3 model will be using an updated version of the 6-speed automatic it's currently using.
The advantages of the 9-speed are pretty obvious, without the manufacturer having to point them out. First up, the fuel consumption will go even lower by about 16% on average, claims ZF. That means that the 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder turbo B38 family from BMW will be extremely efficient on both Bimmers and MINIs.
The only remaining issue to be solved now is the time factor. The new 9HP should be introduced on BMWs somewhere in 2015, with the new F48 X1. MINI, on the other hand could have the new gearbox available sooner, most likely in the fall of 2014, for the updated Countryman and Paceman.
Via: Bimmerfile
Where does that leave BMW? Well, the Bavarians will most likely get the new unit for their upcoming FWD cars, starting with 2015 most likely. Since the engineers from ZF claim that the new unit was developed with transverse engines in mind, this would also be perfect for the upcoming MINI, even though BMW already said that the Mk3 model will be using an updated version of the 6-speed automatic it's currently using.
The advantages of the 9-speed are pretty obvious, without the manufacturer having to point them out. First up, the fuel consumption will go even lower by about 16% on average, claims ZF. That means that the 1.5-liter, 3-cylinder turbo B38 family from BMW will be extremely efficient on both Bimmers and MINIs.
The only remaining issue to be solved now is the time factor. The new 9HP should be introduced on BMWs somewhere in 2015, with the new F48 X1. MINI, on the other hand could have the new gearbox available sooner, most likely in the fall of 2014, for the updated Countryman and Paceman.
Via: Bimmerfile
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