9AT600 – China's First Longitudinal 9-Speed Automatic Transmission
9AT600 – China's First Longitudinal 9-Speed Automatic Transmission
More Gears, More Capability, No Compromise
When you‘re building an off-road SUV or a heavy-duty pickup, you need a transmission that can handle serious torque – the kind that gets you over rocks, through mud, and up steep grades without breaking a sweat. You also want it to be smooth, efficient, and reliable enough to last for years of hard use.
The 9AT600 delivers all of that. It’s China's first longitudinal 9-speed hydraulic automatic transmission – and it was developed from the ground up for vehicles that demand the very best.
Built for the Tough Stuff
Unlike transverse transmissions that sit sideways under the hood, the 9AT600 sits front-to-back (longitudinal) . This is the layout you need for rear-wheel-drive and four-wheel-drive vehicles – the kind with a strong driveshaft running to the back axle.
It was designed specifically for the Tank platform – GWM's global intelligent professional off-road platform. Vehicles on this platform need to handle extreme terrain, heavy loads, and demanding driving conditions. The 9AT600 was built to meet those challenges head-on.
Why the 9AT600 Stands Out
It Handles Serious Torque
The 9AT600 is rated for 600 N·m of torque capacity. That's enough to handle the most powerful engines GWM produces – like the 3.0T V6 that puts out 500 N·m all the way from 1,500 to 4,500 rpm. There’s also a hybrid version (more on that below).
It‘s Surprisingly Compact
Handling 600 N·m usually means a big, heavy transmission. But the 9AT600 uses compact, efficient clutch design and intelligent integrated electro-hydraulic modules to keep the size manageable. It measures 624.8 mm in axial length and weighs just 95 kg.
It’s Smart and Efficient
The transmission uses an electro-hydraulic control system with electronic parking. The 7th, 8th, and 9th gears are set as overdrive gears- – meaning they're designed for fuel efficiency at highway speeds. At around 90 km/h, the transmission shifts into 9th gear-, keeping the engine RPM low and saving fuel.
The speed ratio spread is 8.843– a wide range that gives you strong low-end pulling power for off-road crawling and tall overdrive gears for quiet, economical highway cruising.
It’s Built to Last
Service life is rated at 10 years or 300,000 km– a solid benchmark for any transmission, especially one expected to handle off-road abuse.
The 9HAT – Hybrid Version
For those who want hybrid capability, there‘s the 9HAT – China's first P2 hybrid longitudinal 9-speed automatic transmission.
It takes the 9AT and adds a 150 kW high-power P2 hybrid motor and a C0 clutch for disconnecting the engine from the transmission. This gives you:
- Pure electric driving
- Hybrid driving modes
- 750 N·m combined torque capacity
Weight increases to 128 kg. It's the same robust transmission, just with an electric boost.
Where It's Used
The 9AT600 is designed for longitudinal, off-road platforms- – think Tank 500, Tank 700, GWM Poer (Shanhai Cannon) pickups, and off-road SUVs-. It was first launched on the Tank 600 (later renamed Tank 500).
It’s also available to other OEMs- – so if you‘re building an off-road vehicle and need a transmission that can handle serious torque without falling apart, this is a proven option.
How Does It Compare?
| Comparison | GWM 9AT600 | Typical 8-speed AT |
|---|---|---|
| Torque Capacity | 600 N·m | ~450–550 N·m |
| Gears | 9 forward | 8 forward |
| Weight | 95 kg | ~90–100 kg |
| Speed Ratio Spread | 8.843 | ~7.0–8.0 |
| Service Life | 10 years / 300,000 km | Varies |
The 9AT600 matches or exceeds comparable transmissions from established global brands– and it does it with a compact package that fits easily into vehicle platforms.
Why Choose the 9AT600?
- China's first – a genuine milestone in domestic transmission development
- Proven capability – handles 600 N·m, enough for the toughest off-road applications
- Compact design – doesn’t take up unnecessary space despite its capacity
- 9-speed efficiency – overdrive gears for better fuel economy on the highway
- Hybrid-ready – the 9HAT variant gives you P2 hybrid capability
- OEM-grade quality – built for production vehicles, not prototypes
- Available to other manufacturers – you don‘t have to be GWM to use it
Contact us to discuss how the 9AT600 can power your off-road or pickup programme.
