ZF in the media

To miss by a Mile...

AutoScout24 News, 22/1/2010

[...] So what! The 530d is still quiet. And those who lament are those already enjoying high standards. All engines in the new BMW 5 Series are optionally combined with the new eight-speed automatic transmission, which is already installed in the 760i and the 5-Series Gran Turismo and costs at least 2200 euros in the 5-Series Sedan (standard in the 550i). Actually, this investment is unavoidable because this converter transmission is sensational! Converter lockup action, which imitates a manual transmission's slipping clutch and consumes performance and gasoline, only takes place in the first gear up to about 1500 revolutions. All other gearshifts are performed directly and nearly at the speed of a dual-clutch transmission. The spontaneity of this automatic transmission is just as convincing. And unlike some dual-clutch candidates, it never loses its bearing! [...]

New plant strengthens ZF presence in India

dpa, 19/1/2010

[...] With its new plant in the industrial city of Pune in India, automotive supplier ZF has strengthened its presence in this growing economy. On Tuesday, ZF Friedrichshafen AG reported that the plant would eventually produce some 10,000 axles and transmissions for construction machinery. This summer, an additional truck transmission plant will be opened. “With this new site, we are taking part in the rapid growth of this emerging economy,” stated CEO Hans-Georg Härter at the opening ceremony. [...]

ZF Friedrichshafen anticipates resumed growth in 2010

Reuters, 12/1/2010

[...] In view of the market recovery, Germany’s third largest automotive supplier ZF Friedrichshafen hopes to see its business considerably improve in 2010 over the previous year. “We anticipate that our sales growth will be significantly beyond five percent,” said technology director Michael Paul on Tuesday while attending the Detroit Auto Show. “In 2010, we will be clearly in the black,” he added. According to earlier reported figures, the company posted overall losses of up to 400 million euros in 2009. [...]

ZF reassures auto industry

Handelsblatt, 16/12/2009

Following the disastrous year of 2009, automotive supplier ZF Friedrichshafen once again sees light at the end of the tunnel. Like the rest of the industry, ZF is shifting its weight toward Asia – and the industry is reassured. [...]
The turning point was undertaken a while ago. This is how ZF was back in the black in the fourth quarter [of last year], according to [ZF CEO] Härter, who is also confident about the coming year. “Our performance objective for 2010 is to break even in terms of business operations.” Thanks to new projects the group has recently won, ZF aims to return to earning income exceeding 10 billion euros in the coming year. The total value of contracts per month is currently around one billion euros. [...]

ZF more optimistic – anticipates revenue growth

dpa, 15/12/2009

[...] Following the crisis year of 2009, automotive supplier ZF is more optimistic about the coming year. Sales are expected to increase from 9.3 billion euros this year to more than 10 billion euros. “Our performance objective for 2010 is to break even in terms of business operations,” said ZF CEO Hans-Georg Härter. [...]

Manner and Travel

auto motor und sport, September 2009

[...] All engines transfer their power to the new 8-speed automatic transmission developed by ZF, which was previously only installed in the 760i. It combines everything you would expect from a state-of-the-art automatic transmission and sorts its many gears in a flash - with utmost discreetness. Part of the game: the ZF 6-speed automatic transmission (6HP26TÜ), which Alpina raised to peerage by modifying the control unit to the Switchtronic. A soft touch on the gas pedal lets the V8 start in second gear, smoothly glide away, avoids hectics, and only upon request by the pedal or the Sports mode does it start its snappy tap, up and down - and the two shift paddles at the steering wheel become orphans. [...]

BMW adds 7 to 12

AutoBild, July 2009

(BMW 760Li)

... And how subtly the 8-speed automatic changes gear ratios ... impeccable driveline luxury coupled with breathtaking dynamics. ...

Balancing sport and economy

Frankfurter Allgemeine Zeitung, August 2009

... Here, Porsche opted against a traditional torque converter automatic transmission with planetary gear sets. Instead, they use a 7-speed dualclutch transmission from ZF. The countershaft spur gearbox is particularlysuited to meet the demands of high speeds, in particular offering good acceleration with tidy handlingand low consumption. ... The basic transmission technology facilitatesthe very comfortable start through two gears. As is usual in dual-clutch transmissions, two sub-transmissionsare connected to the engine via two parallel powershift clutches. One sub-transmission has the even-numbered gears, the other the odd. Traction is thus uninterrupted, and engine torque is continually transformed into propulsion. This is the essential distinguishing feature from the manual and automatic transmissions with which the ZF gearbox is meant to compete. ...

Economy class

auto motor und sport, issue 13/2009

... The Mercedes S 400, though, is not designed for all-electric driving. Unlike its competitor, the Lexus LS 600h, the ZF synchronous motor located in the housing of the familiar 7-speed automatic serves only to support the 6-cylinder. ... However, that allows the gasoline engine to be designed with exceptional fuel economy so that it performs frugally in situations where hybrid technology alone cannot yet promise savings, for instance, on the freeway. ...

Something big

sport auto, June 2009

(Comparison of the Jaguar XF-R with the BMW Alpina B5 S)

... Rear-wheel drive is a must at this high end of the car market. Positioned in front, extremely convincing automatic transmissions, also fromZF, take care of the six respective drive positions. In both cases, they are furnished with power whose impressive weight and deployment tingle the spine across a wide speed range. ...

Eight is enough

European Automotive Design, May 2009

... Compared to ZF’s second generation 6-speed transmission, the 8-speed version reduces fuel consumption by 6 percent, according to ZF, and compared to the 5-speed transmission, by up to 14 percent. The 8-speed transmission from ZF has another special feature: Back in the development phase, care was taken to ensure that it would be hybrid compatible – which means an electric motor can easily be installed in place of the torque converter. The mild hybrid design allows for further fuel savings of 15 percent. Aside from the transmission, the 760i is equipped with additional ZF technology. CDC2e technology, for example, comes from ZF Sachs and is called “Dynamic Damping Control” by BMW. This system features two electronically adjustable proportional valves per damper that individually regulate the damping characteristics based on road conditions. ...

A Statement for the Royal League

www.n-tv.de, 05 August 2009

[...] The 8-speed transmission developed jointly with ZF is the epitome of pliability.With 0.67 in top gear it features an extremely high gear ratio and is able to change gears e.g. from eighth to third gear in a split second if the traffic situation requires maximum thrust. The beautifully smooth gear changes deserve just as much praise as the extremely short shifting times that equal those of a dual clutch transmission. Right now, BMW exclusively has this miracle transmission; when the V8 hybrid is ready for the 7 Series, it will also be on offer. Audi, however, is already anxious to install this new transmission in its A8. [...]

New forms of power transmission

sport auto online, 28 April 2009

... Thanks to dual-clutch technology, Porsche also offers seven gears in the second generation of its 997 series. Since development of its PDK transmission was shelved in the late ’80s in favor of the Tiptronic, the joint innovations of Porsche and ZF have been setting standards for sportiness. While transmission of the first six gears is identical to six-speed manual transmissions, the seventh is a cruising gear. ...

It’s official: ZF 8-speed-transmission to bow in new BMW 7 Series

autotech daily, 16 April 2009

Confirming widespread speculation, ZF Friedrichshafen AG says its eightspeed automatic transmission will debut in the 760i version of BMW’s top-end 7 Series sedan. ... The eightspeed system is 6% more fuel efficient than ZF’s second-generation six-speed automatic and up to 14% thriftier than many current five-speeds, according to the company. ZF also says the new automatic can be adapted for mild and full hybrid use simply by swapping a torque converter for an electric motor. Putting the eight-speed in a mild hybrid design can boost fuel savings another 15%. ...

Everyday technology: Porsche Cayenne GTS vs. BMW X6 50i

ATZ online, 31 March 2009

... We’ve been especially looking forward to two technology highlights from BMW: the new V8 with twin turbocharging, and Dynamic Performance Control for variable rear-wheel torque distribution. With 300 kW only slightly more powerful than the Cayenne GTS, the engine really plays to the gallery, especially by virtue of its torque (600 Nm from 1,750 to 4,500 rpm). The engine characteristic is a sheer pleasure in combination with the automatic six-speed transmission from ZF. The roar might not be as sporty as a Porsche’s, but its powerful and sonorous pitch is music to the ears. ...

Express train dynamics

bus blickpunkt, 02/2009 issue

... Drivers love the [Irisbus] Magelys after just the first few kilometers. They appreciate the pinpoint accuracy of ZF steering and the fast, responsive brakes. Driving is trouble-free. The powerful Cursor diesel engine and the AS Tronic transmission work well together. Shifting is comfortable, quick and secure. ...

BMW Favors Automatic Transmissions

Automobilwoche, Edition 2009/3, 2009-01-30

Klaus Draeger, Member of the Board of Management of BMW AG for Development, has opted in favor of automatic transmissions instead of dual clutch transmissions in the high-volume model ranges. "The 8-speed automatic transmission developed together with ZF can live up to dual clutch transmissions as regards shifting times; in addition, though, it is lighter and more efficient and it features a cost advantage. The only disadvantage could be the fact that it is not suitable for high engine speed concepts", explains Mr. Draeger. BMW offers dual clutch transmissions in the sporty versions of the 3 Series Coupé and the Z4 Roadster. Due to the progress with automatic transmissions, however, BMW is not planning to considerably extend the offer. "Especially for cars with longitudinally installed engines and rear-wheel drive, dual clutch transmissions are very complicated, expensive, and heavy", explains Mr. Draeger. ZF Friedrichshafen designed the 8-speed automatic transmission, which is scheduled for volume production at the end of 2009 at BMW and Audi, for cars with rear-wheel or four-wheel drive and optionally also offers the unit with a stop/start function.