Land Rover has developed a new nine-speed automatic transmission for its new models which will help improve fuel economy and carbon emissions output.

Whereas the existing six-speed transmission makes shifts sequentially, the ZF 9HP has a skip-shift function for much swifter downshifting under rapid deceleration or from greater driver input demands.

John Edwards, Land Rover global brand director, said: “The ZF 9HP has been tailored to dovetail with the unique attributes of our vehicles. It will add another layer of performance, refinement and efficiency, further enhancing Land Rover’s world class abilities.”

Despite the extra three gear ratios the nine-speed transmission is only 6mm longer and weighs 7.5kg less than the outgoing six-speed transmission.

Land Rover has not released figures for how much the ZF 9HP will improve efficiency by and has not yet revealed when the new transmission is likely to go on sale throughout its model range.