Traditionally, Mercedes-Benz has developed and produced the automatic transmissions for its own model range, unlike many competitors. What advantages in the field of tuning (including the engines) and, above all, a lot of special and in-house know-how promises, but also has disadvantages. Every gearbox development has to be amortized over its own model range. Which means at the same time: Before new gearbox variants come on the market, a certain number of units must be achieved.
For example, transmission specialist ZF has been using a very modern 8 automatic transmission for a long time, which in turn is used by many premium manufacturers. How comfortable this switch box works, I have only days in the learn new Jeep Grand Cherokee.
9 gears in the Mercedes-Benz E 350 BlueTec
From today, there is the E-Class with the 252 PS strong V6 diesel engine in conjunction with a newly developed 9-speed automatic transmission. For now, only this one engine is available within the E-Class series with the newly developed 9G-Tronic Box. Both in the gasoline, as well as in the all-wheel versions, Mercedes still uses the proven 7G automatic.
Of course, it can be assumed that Mercedes-Benz successively replaced the 7 automatic transmission with the 9 gear automatic transmission. And not only in the new E-Class. Thus, the next year appearing C-Class should be offered only with the new Neungang converter automatic transmission.
9-speed - the transmission in detail
More gears mean more “gear spread”, ie a larger ratio in the ratio between the first and the last gear. It's like riding a bike at home. With a 3-speed Dutch bike, it's difficult to compete with the 21 or more gears of modern mountain bikes.
More gears = more efficiency
With the new 9 automatic transmission, it is now possible to drive at a speed of only 1.350 revolutions of 120 km / h (E350 BluTec). The speed thus reduced not only saves energy but also protects the nerves of the environment. Less speed also corresponds to less volume.
In addition to the increased efficiency, the fun should not be left by the wayside. The new nine-speed automatic not only has the option of starting / stopping the engine in series, but also an S mode. S like sport or “spontaneity”. Faster gear changes and skipping several gears is one of the capabilities of the new 9g-Tronic.
1.000 Nm are enough
As before, however: at 1.000 Nm engine torque it's over. What frustrates tuners is simply a reasonable line between “performance” and “manufacturing costs” of the gear box. In order to create an efficient automatic box, Mercedes-Benz opted for lightweight construction when developing the new transmission. While the housing for the converter is made of aluminum, the rest of the switch box is packed in a sleeve made of a light magnesium alloy.
9 gears for a Hallejuja
How the E-Class goes with the new transmission, soon here in the blog.