Honda Rumored To Be Working On A 9 Speed Transmission

[webby]

Rumor - Honda Is Working On A 9 Speed Transmission?

Honda may be out to improve the fuel economy of its powertrains by throwing extra gears into the transmission. Automobile Magazine reports the Japanese automaker is currently working to use a new nine-speed gearbox developed by ZF in its products as soon as 2014. If you're keeping track, this is the same transmission set to debut in a host of Chrysler products, including the replacement for the Jeep Liberty.

Despite the additional gears, ZF says the transmission is surprisingly compact, thanks in part to the fact that it uses planetary gears in place of a traditional design. Called the 9HP, the German transmission can be used in either front- or all-wheel drive applications and handle up to 354 pound-feet of torque.

All told, ZF claims the 9HP can improve a vehicle's fuel economy as much as 10 to 16 percent. Given the torque capacities and relatively small size, the transmission could show up in nearly everything Honda makes, but odds are the company will debut the gearbox in models like the Odyssey and Pilot as well as the Acura MDX and TL.

 

[KennyGS]

In my experiences, planetary gearboxes tend to be noisier. I wonder if they will address that.

 

[dentrecords]

In my experiences, planetary gearboxes tend to be noisier. I wonder if they will address that.

Sorry Ken, you're going to have to speak up.

I'm still holding out for the 10 speed.

 

[Dar-Dar]

Planetary gears are confusing. I took this automotive course and one of the topics was on how automatic transmissions change gears using this diagram (I forgot the name of it).

Did Honda even make a 7 or 8 speed trans on a production car? I wonder why they are making a 9 speed.

 

[webby]

in November they released info on the 7 speed & direct injection motors coming to market.

Honda’s 3.5-liter V-6, now with direct injection and an output of at least 308 hp and 266 lb-ft of torque. The engine is mated to a Honda-built seven-speed dual-clutch transmission

as for production, the acura rl, tl, and others use a 6 speed auto.

10-16% better fuel economy out of that 9 speed transmission... have to believe that is the main reason

 

[KennyGS]

Planetary gearboxes are are capable of handling much higher torque loads in a smaller package than a conventional gearbox. Correspondingly, the smaller planetary has lower inertias (mass), so it will require less energy to spin.

 

[webby]

so going from ken's comment,...less energy to spin = better mpg