Mercedes is preparing to introduce a new nine-speed automatic gearbox to the E-Class range.
Although the new gearbox isn't the first nine-speeder to be offered in a production car (a distinction belonging to the ZF gearbox in the new Range Rover Evoque), it will be the first commercially-available nine-speed torque converter transmission.
The new transmission will be rolled out across the E-Class range later this year, but it won't be until next year that the new gearbox will be available in the UK.
Dubbed the 9G-Tronic, the new gearbox replaces the old 7G-Tronic gearbox, offering improvements in fuel economy, emissions, refinement and gear change quality. Mercedes claims that due to improvements in NVH (Noise, Vibration and Harshness), the E-Class's cabin is up to 4dB quieter with the new 'box.
In addition to this, on a motorway cruise at 70mph, the longer gear ratios mean that the E-Class's engine will be spinning at just over 1200rpm. This has an obvious effect on fuel efficiency and Mercedes claims that with the new gearbox fitted the E350 BlueTEC saloon will return 53.2mpg (a 6mpg improvement over the old seven-speed 'box) and emit just 138g/km of CO2 (a 19g/km improvement).
Although the gearbox will be making its debut in the E-Class, it will be steadily introduced to the rest of the Mercedes line-up in time. Plus, Mercedes claims that the gearbox will be able to handle 1000Nm (738lb-ft) of torque, which means that the transmission should be able to cope with the more powerful AMG-developed models in the Merc range.
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