| Mercedes-Benz has announced it will install a nine-speed automatic transmission in its European-spec face-lifted E350 BlueTec turbo-diesel models for the 2015 model year. The German automaker claims the new nine-speed, in conjunction with a stop-start system, will improve the E350 diesel's combined fuel-economy rating—in the ever-optimistic European cycle—from 51.4 mpg when equipped with the outgoing seven-speed auto to 53.3 mpg.
Benz's American arm has yet to announce which of its models will receive the new nine-speed automatic, but it's likely the new gearbox will show up in 2015 CLS-class, which is due for a refresh. In the years following, we expect this transmission to slowly be adopted by much of MBUSA's lineup.
While the overall gains in efficiency are small, the move shows that automakers are willing to install more-expensive and more-complex gearboxes with an increasing number of ratios to achieve their fuel-economy targets and meet ever-more-stringent government regulations. Former Daimler "partner" Chrysler recently introduced its nine-speed auto in the new-for-2014 Jeep Cherokee, and Ford and General Motors have announced that they will co-develop 10-speed autoboxes for a variety of applications.  from Car and Driver Blog http://blog.caranddriver.com | |||
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