The new ZF Nine-Speed? Image: Autoblog

We’ve seen convincing news over on Autoblog, Jalopnik, and Allpar that states that ZF is gearing up (no pun intended) to produce a new 9-speed transmission that will make it’s way into new front-wheel-drive Chrysler vehicles. This will be the world’s first nine-speed automatic transmission for cars with transverse-mounted engines and will be built in a new factory in South Carolina by ZF. Chrysler will not be the only customer purchasing the 9-speed, but they will be one of the first.

The new ZF is specifically designed for front wheel drive vehicles which could be anything from a small economy car to a large mini-van. The shifts will extremely fast, and according to ZF will be “below the threshold of perception.” In addition to the additional gears an all new “shock-absorption” system inside of the torque converter has been created that allows instant lockup of the converter clutch. The instant lockup helps eliminate what gearheads refer to as “slushbox” losses and is another contributing factor to better fuel economy.

It is said that it’s new capabilities will deliver at least 10% greater gas mileage than conventional six-speed automatics, and if that proves to be true would be a light-year leap in efficiency. Manufacturers have spent millions of dollars and years of research just in getting 1 to 2% increases in fuel economy from their engines, so a 10% jump from a transmission would be a sensational advance in efficiency.

This of course, comes following the confirmation of a equally-as-smooth 8-speed automatic scheduled for Chrysler’s RWD platforms for later this year.