Mercedes-Benz introduces a nine-speed transmission on the E-Class
It was a couple of days ago that we mentioned that Mercedes-Benz is working on introducing more variants on the E-Class, especially the V6 engines. Today, we come to know that the company has been working on a nine-speed transmission for the E350CDI and its called the 9G-TRONIC. The E 350 BlueTEC featuring the 9G-TRONIC as standard is available to order with immediate effect. Despite the extended scope of functions, the pricing for both the Saloon and Estate models remains unchanged.
In the E 350 BlueTEC, which is available as Saloon and Estate models and comes fitted with the new 9G-TRONIC as standard, the 185 kW (252 hp) V6 diesel engine. The higher number of gears and the broader gear ratio spread help to increase drive comfort and enable a significant enhancement to be achieved in terms of converting engine power into traction. On the one hand, the overall reduction in engine speed improves NVH comfort and therefore the pleasant sense of well-being on board the E-Class, and on the other also cuts down external noise by up to 4 dB(A), thus reducing the strain on the environment.
The reduced fuel consumption of the E 350 BlueTEC with 9G-TRONIC has primarily been achieved as a result of the high level of efficiency of the transmission. As part of this, the broad ratio spread of 9.15 for gears one to nine enables a clearly perceptible reduction in engine speed and is a decisive factor behind the high level of energy efficiency and ride comfort. Shortened shift and reaction times ensure optimum spontaneity combined with outstanding ease of shifting. In manual mode and the S programme in particular, the 9G-TRONIC responds significantly more spontaneously and enhances driving pleasure.
The particular ease of shifting of the new 9G-TRONIC – a focal point during development and a hallmark feature of a Mercedes-Benz automatic transmission - comes courtesy of a comprehensive package of measures. These include the novel direct control system which enables short, barely perceptible gear changes. The combination of double torsional damper and centrifugal pendulum technology in the torque converter ensures outstanding drive comfort. Together with the extended gear ratio spread, higher speeds can now be driven at lower engine speeds for even greater comfort. In reality this translates for example into being able to drive at 120 km/h in 9th gear with an engine speed of around only 1350 rpm.
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