The 2014 Jeep Cherokee is on track to be the first light vehicle in the world with a nine-speed transmission — beating Land Rover, which boasted in March at the Geneva Motor Show that it would be first to market with the technology.
Automakers are pushing to add speeds to their transmissions because it improves fuel economy by shifting gears more efficiently. A transmission with more gears allows the engine to run at a lower speed, which improves comfort and reduces noise when cruising at high speeds.
Someday nine-speeds will be relatively common, but the manufacturer who brings it to market first will have a temporary advantage.
With the actual launch of the Cherokee and the 2014 Range Rover Evoque drawing near, both companies are being careful about their claims.