New Ducato Automatic

[Yorkshire Puds]

Has anyone got or driven the new Fiat 9 speed automatic?
I‘m wondering what it’s like in comparison to the old box, going from electronic back to the good old fashioned torque converter.

 

[Popeye]

I didn't know they had gone back to Epicyclic Gear train, brilliant news.

 

[PeteH]

Intrigued, But so fat the only "review" where a van was actually driven is Here:-

First drive: Fiat Ducato's nine-speed auto gearbox is a 'game changer'

www.commercialfleet.org

It "sounds" like a take on the Mercedes box but with "more" gears?.

 

[Yorkshire Puds]

Yes, I’ve read that Pete, it sounds great and I‘be taken the plunge and ordered it on a new Chausson 711.


what I can’t find however, is any review videos or anyone who’s driven one yet.

i hope it’s as good as they say.

 

[Lenny HB]

It's a ZF box available in 7 & 9 speed.

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[PeteH]

IF it is the ZF 9speed. It was built for passenger cars?. https://www.zf.com/products/en/cars/products_29299.html And has had mixed reviews even as suggested by Wikepedia and Chrysler in the USA. :- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_9HP_transmission

 

[596]

I heard from my dealer who had driven one that it was fantastic, THAT was the reason I didn’t go for the current robotic one in mine as I had the choice, I was told that when I came to sell mine if I had the old box in everyone would want the new box and I could find it hard to sell mine, I guess it’s because both are overlapping being sold at the same time and I could be competing with a van a couple of months newer with the new box, but if you’ve had one for a while then I doubt it would affect you.

 

[SpeedyDux]

IF it is the ZF 9speed. It was built for passenger cars?. https://www.zf.com/products/en/cars/products_29299.html And has had mixed reviews even as suggested by Wikepedia and Chrysler in the USA. :- https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_9HP_transmission

It has been available on the Ram ProMaster City which seems to be the US re-badged Ducato and is a base vehicle for some MH converters across the pond. A petrol V6 is standard although there is a diesel option. Therefore the new autobox should have been well tested before launch in Europe.

Although the ComfortMatic is adequate I am tempted to raid the piggybank when the new autobox is available over here on FIAT PVCs. Always preferred a good torque converter type.

 

[Yorkshire Puds]

My thoughts too Speedy. looking at posts regarding Jeeps and Range Rover issues with the ZF box, they are all a fair few years old.

I wonder if I could blag a test drive at a local Fiat Professional dealer?

 

[Lenny HB]

Pro Mobil did a test on a La Strada PVC here.

Fiat Ducato-Automatik (2020) im Test: Neue 9-Gang-Automatik im Test

Der Fiat Ducato bekommt neue Motoren und ein modernes Automatikgetriebe. Was kann die neue 9-Speed? Ein ausgiebiger Test mit 178 PS und 450 Nm klärt alle wichtigen Fragen.

www.promobil.de

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[Yorkshire Puds]

Link doesn’t work Lenny

 

[Lenny HB]

Although the ComfortMatic is adequate I am tempted to raid the piggybank when the new autobox is available over here on FIAT PVCs. Always preferred a good torque converter type.

Should be available on a factory order as all the vans at Caravan Salon with autos had the new one.

 

[Lenny HB]

Link doesn’t work Lenny

Does now, wouldn't work with Google translate.

 

[PeteH]

It has been available on the Ram ProMaster City which seems to be the US re-badged Ducato and is a base vehicle for some MH converters across the pond. A petrol V6 is standard although there is a diesel option. Therefore the new autobox should have been well tested before launch in Europe.

Although the ComfortMatic is adequate I am tempted to raid the piggybank when the new autobox is available over here on FIAT PVCs. Always preferred a good torque converter type.

But the Pro-Master, is smaller?. More akin to Vito in size or a Transit Courier?. Which would imply a more Passenger car orientated size and layout?.

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[Yorkshire Puds]

Link doesn’t work Lenny

Danka

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[funflair]

But the Pro-Master, is smaller?. More akin to Vito in size or a Transit Courier?. Which would imply a more Passenger car orientated size and layout?.

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The "city" is the smaller one, think the promaster is Ducato size.

 

[PeteH]

The "city" is the smaller one, think the promaster is Ducato size.

Yes you are right. However the 2020 vans are only listing the (Superseded?) 6 Speed Auto box and "gas" engines?.

This is the only reference I can Find?. https://carbuzz.com/cars/ram/promaster-cargo-van/2020/specs-and-trims#review

The ZF boxes are made in S Carolina.

 

[SpeedyDux]

Yes you are right. However the 2020 vans are only listing the (Superseded?) 6 Speed Auto box and "gas" engines?.

This is the only reference I can Find?. https://carbuzz.com/cars/ram/promaster-cargo-van/2020/specs-and-trims#review

The ZF boxes are made in S Carolina.

Yes, it is the Ram ProMaster that appears to be the X250 clone with the same headlights. The petrol version had a 6 speed conventional autobox (Comfortmatic with a 3 litre diesel option according to the US Autotrader test I saw) so the 2020 Ducato ZF 9 speed auto seems to be different and could even be the 9 speed auto already an option on Iveco Daily vans for a couple of years now.

I might even buy the MMM issue when they start test reporting over here.

 

[Kannon Fodda]

What is the effect on fuel economy? Many of the robotised type gearboxes have a negligible penalty on efficiency and may even be an improvement over a manual as the system gets the right gear simply for the computer choosing when to operate a clutch and gear. But a torque converter usually loses some efficiency as there isn't a physical connection between the engine and wheels. So perhaps it is a more comfortable ride less jerky, but as I'm not driving my PVC in a sporty way, I've not found the changes to be an issue.

 

[HandyAndy]

What is the effect on fuel economy?

If it's anything like TC auto boxes I know, it'll be terrible.

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[Lenny HB]

could even be the 9 speed auto already an option on Iveco Daily vans for a couple of years now.

I think it is the same box, can't remember where I read it now.

 

[Lenny HB]

What is the effect on fuel economy?

Read the Pro Mobil test I linked to.

 

[SpeedyDux]

What is the effect on fuel economy? Many of the robotised type gearboxes have a negligible penalty on efficiency and may even be an improvement over a manual as the system gets the right gear simply for the computer choosing when to operate a clutch and gear. But a torque converter usually loses some efficiency as there isn't a physical connection between the engine and wheels. So perhaps it is a more comfortable ride less jerky, but as I'm not driving my PVC in a sporty way, I've not found the changes to be an issue.

Modern ones have torque converter lock-up so there is no transmission loss once you are above a certain speed and in a higher gear. The fuel consumption on a long journey is just as good as with a manual version. Mercs claim to be better for mpg with autos.

 

[funflair]

I think it is the same box, can't remember where I read it now.

The IVECO is a 8 speed and runs North/South to rear wheel drive the Fiat 9 speed is E/W front wheel drive so a completely different beast.

Martin

 

[funflair]

Modern ones have torque converter lock-up so there is no transmission loss once you are above a certain speed and in a higher gear. The fuel consumption on a long journey is just as good as with a manual version. Mercs claim to be better for mpg with autos.

Usually better in auto's as they have more gears and the motor can run at it's sweet spot for torque/power/emmisions and economy.

Martin

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[Yorkshire Puds]

What is the effect on fuel economy? Many of the robotised type gearboxes have a negligible penalty on efficiency and may even be an improvement over a manual as the system gets the right gear simply for the computer choosing when to operate a clutch and gear. But a torque converter usually loses some efficiency as there isn't a physical connection between the engine and wheels. So perhaps it is a more comfortable ride less jerky, but as I'm not driving my PVC in a sporty way, I've not found the changes to be an issue.

Allegedly a 16% positive gain on fuel economy over the comfortmatic. Of course this is the claims of the manufacturer.

 

[StephDeLux]

It is exactly the same gearbox as the Mercedes 9G-Tronic in the front wheel-drive Sprinter, made by ZF for front wheel-drive vehicles with transversal engines.

 

[jezport]

I would never buy a comfortmatic but would love the 9 speed real auto.

 

[Trev45]

I would never buy a comfortmatic but would love the 9 speed real auto.

Why ?

 

[Servo]

I would never buy a comfortmatic but would love the 9 speed real auto.

Have you owned one ?
Have you driven one over a period of time ?
Have you had a bad experience ?
This is a sweeping statement can you enlighten us.?

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