Allison Transmission has announced its first nine-speed model. The innovative, fully automatic transmission, for medium- and heavy-duty vehicles, will be available globally and is targeted for release in 2020.                    

“With this new transmission, Allison continues to demonstrate its commitment to help achieve standards regarding fuel efficiency and greenhouse gas (GHG) emissions,” said Randy Kirk, senior vice-president of product engineering and product teams with Allison Transmission. “This release coincides with the timing of the Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) Phase 2 GHG and Fuel Efficiency Standards.”

With its deep first gear ratio and industry-leading ratio coverage, the Allison nine-speed transmission provides significant fuel savings as the highly-efficient gear train allows the torque converter to lock up early in first gear. Additionally, the nine-speed includes an integral engine stop-start system that provides immediate transmission engagement and vehicle hold while the engine is restarted. Providing value for a variety of applications, the nine-speed model is ideal for distribution trucks, rental and lease trucks, and school buses.

“When combined with FuelSense, our software and electronic controls packages, and our other fuel-saving technologies, the nine-speed will set a new benchmark in fuel efficiency and reduced emissions, achieving Greenhouse Gas Emissions Model (GEM) benefits,” said Kirk. “Many OEMs in North America, Europe and Asia have expressed interest and excitement, with prototype evaluations beginning for them yet this year.”

The Allison nine-speed model leverages the proven durability of the Allison 2000 Series six-speed commercial transmissions, which have accumulated more than 100 billion miles globally. It’s been designed to utilise the same OEM interfaces as its six-speed predecessor, providing ease of integration into vehicles currently released with the Allison 2000 Series.

Drivers will experience even better comfort due to smaller steps, allowing for a smoother start. They’ll also enjoy improved acceleration, which can lead to more productivity.

The company says its transmissions use Continuous Power Technology to smoothly multiply engine torque and deliver more power to the wheels. Drivers experience better productivity, fuel economy, driver comfort, safety and operational flexibility than those with manual and automated manual transmissions (AMTs).