ZF unveils new 8-speed automatic gearbox
ZF, a company whose gearboxes are in many of our cars including that sweet new fast shifting quick locking 6-speed auto in modern BMWs has unveiled a new 8-speed automatic gearbox and presented it at the 28th International Vienna Motor Symposium.
Though some of you may think ZF is yet another automakers who wants to lead in the cog race, which is currently led by Lexus with their 8-speed auto, but ZF says number of gears was not a priority when designing this unit.
“Our main development target was to find a transmission concept which allows for significant additional fuel consumption reduction and thus offers tangible added value to our customers and drivers without making any compromises in terms of performance”, explains Dr. Michael Paul, ZF Executive Vice President, Technology and Group Executive of the Car Driveline Technology division. It just so happened that to achieve those targets, 8 gears was needed.
The new gearbox can also handle larger input torque with the same weight as compared to the previous model, the second generation 6-speed that’s found in the 335i. It was also designed to be modular, which means it can be used in all-wheel drive systems without much modification. The torque converter can be replaced by new clutches or could be omitted completely when an integrated starting clutch is used.
The new ZF 8-speed automatic transmission will be used in the F01/F02 2009 BMW 7-Series in the flagship V12 model, and possibly the Rolls Royce RR4 later.
May 3, 2007 @ 10:36 pm
too much gear man!
May 3, 2007 @ 10:45 pm
Well this is a auto gear box… In reality the more gear you have, the more better the gear ratio is, and at high speed cruising your rpm will be lower compare to the less gear auto, so save fuel. I think Lexus is the one using the 8-speed first.. And it will be smoother to change coz of close ratio.. If new Proton Satria Gti uses 6-speed manual i already very happy liau, Hahaha.. Toyota levin 20v black top uses the 6-speed manual during 97-98. And a lot of ppl like it, even half-cuts are hot cakes and expensive.. almost RM6k.. Why? Coz it is fuel saving, and the close ratio make it great in track.. easy to clock top speed and fast changing gears to match the road situation..
May 3, 2007 @ 10:52 pm
i agree….
May 3, 2007 @ 11:45 pm
my fifth gear broke, aargh never mind, i still got seven more,
May 3, 2007 @ 11:52 pm
or it means , cvt is not yet proven reliable for the same load,
8 speed means busy shifting, for optimization.
anyway ..piece of engineering
May 4, 2007 @ 5:15 am
It make sense in fuel consumption. But would it make impact on the clutch usage.
May 4, 2007 @ 8:51 am
In most situations, a CVT will work best. However, CVTs have not proven to work very well/reliably with very high powered cars, hence the dependence on a conventional automatic with discreet gears.
I wonder why no other manufacturer has “re-created” the old mitsubishi 4 x 2 gearbox. With 4 forward gears and 2 final drives, it effectively makes an 8 speed manual (if you can shift fast enough). Imagine a ultra high secondary final drive matched with 4-5 gears.
May 4, 2007 @ 9:31 am
I guess ‘Fifth Gear’ is going to have to rename itself to stay current… lol
May 4, 2007 @ 1:58 pm
viceice said,
May 4, 2007 @ 9:31 am
I guess ‘Fifth Gear’ is going to have to rename itself to stay current… lol
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LOL… Eventually cars will come with no gears. (ie CVTs), or in-wheel electric motors. What then?
May 4, 2007 @ 4:27 pm
If I see the picture correctly, I count 4 planetary gearsets, each planetery gearset has 2 gear ratios (one of the gearset should have a reverse gear ratio), that makes 8 forward gear ratios in total… Amazing piece of engineering…
May 4, 2007 @ 8:53 pm
Good la… now can brag with manual boys… I’ve more ratios than yours!