Chrysler To Begin Phasing In 9-Speed Gearboxes

Chrysler Group LLC aims to install as many as 200,000 9-speed automatic transmissions in new models this year.

CEO Sergio Marchionne says the new gearbox will debut in the replacement for the Jeep Liberty small SUV, then spread to the Chrysler 200 sedan and perhaps the Dodge Dart small sedan too.

The 9-speed gearbox was developed by ZF Friedrichshafen AG for front- and all-wheel-drive applications. It joins the 8-speed rear-drive ZF gearbox Chrysler began using in its Chrysler 300 and Dodge Charger sedans in 2011.

ZF said previously that its 8- and 9-speed transmission are 11% and 16% more fuel efficient, respectively, than a 6-speed automatic. The company has opined that there is no fuel economy gain to be achieved by adding more gears beyond nine.