ZF develops 9-speed auto transmission for improved efficiency

First application of the ZF 9 speed auto is in the Range Rover Evoque.
Credit: ZF/ Land Rover/ Green Car Reports

Not so much ridiculous to the sublime, more the ridiculous to to the ridiculouser!

One of the deficiencies of the internal combustion engine is the small range of engine speeds over which it's abysmal efficiency (less than 30%) reaches a maximum.  Solution: more gear ratios allow an engine to remain in its (relatively) efficient rpm range more of the time.  ZF is about to release a 9 speed auto at the Geneva Motor Show. First application is in the Range Rover Evoque, seen above.

http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1082580_zf-develops-9-speed-auto-transmission-for-improved-efficiency

Crazy as 9 ratios sounds, during the late 60s, 50cc racing motor cycles had 15 to 20 gears. Mike Hailwood (multiple world champion on full size GP motorcycles) said that, "rubber ankles", were required to ride them. All those ratios were required because of the very narrow power band which accompanied 20hp at 20,000 rpm.     / internal combustion engine ICE gear box ratio gearbox ratio gears efficient engine speed range labouring laboring rev scream Grand Prix /