ZF in the media
In our press review, you will find articles and text extracts from what the media are currently reporting about ZF and its products.
Mightily Fuel-Up - the Great Champion got ZF on Board
Schwäbische Zeitung dating October 31, 2008: Driving report Porsche 911 Carrera with ZF dual clutch transmission:
[...] "The clou: The dual clutch transmission by ZF is the first transmission that shifts faster than a manual one and, in parallel, needs less fuel to do so. [...] In the 911 class, 90 percent of all new cars at Porsche are ordered with a dual clutch transmission. That was also a surprise for Porsche. Trade press commended the 911 and, for the time being, new owners are enjoying the best engine-transmission team available on the market."
Beautiful at Center
Auto Zeitung 23/2008: New features in the BMW 3 Series:
[...] "Currently, BMW is pushing sales of the recently lifted and technically upgraded 3 Series which, by the end of 2009 and with the "8HP" on-board, gets another awesome goody: Behind the code - the new automatic eight-speed transmission by ZF which enjoys its world premiere in the 7 Series with the new V12 direct-injection system (October 2009) and, also in the 3 Series, will change gears in the six cylinder unit in only 200 milliseconds, thus cutting fuel consumption by approximately six percent. The special highlight: "sports" and "comfort" shift pattern characteristics selectable."
Double agent
auto, motor und sport 15/2008 about the new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission:
[...] The transmission always starts in standard mode. The first thing you notice is the smooth, almost imperceptible shifting. But it's also clear that the shifting strategy is programmed for low fuel consumption: extremely early upshifts frequently put the 7-speed transmission in sixth gear when cruising in city traffic. [...] Touch a button and the transmission switches to sport mode. And the Porsche we know and love is suddenly back. The transmission's response to accelerator pedal pressure is much quicker and gear changes are lightening fast. The electronically adaptive PDK transmission adjusts to the driver's personal style. The shifting response becomes sportier as the driver intensifies accelerator and brake pedal activity. Even on winding country roads, the automatic D position is perfect. When braking, the transmission downshifts - skipping gears if necessary with a gentle blip of the throttle to avoid unwanted drag torque on the drive wheels.
Second-generation charm
AutoWeek 7/21/2008 about the new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission in the new Porsche 911 Carrera:
If you find the perfect car, please let us know! If you're on the lookout for a powerful and lively set of wheels that embodies excitement and common sense, with simple "plug-and-play" quality in any weather, any place and any purpose, we highly recommend the Porsche 911 Carrera. [...] Part II of the second generation represents the final farewell to the Porsche trademark Tiptronic automatic transmission with torque converter. Tiptronic has been replaced by the PDK (Porsche dual-clutch transmission), an automatic 7-speed that is similar in principle to the Audi DSG. But the Porsche 7-speed was independently developed within six years in cooperation with transmission manufacturer ZF. [...] Key feature: The engine is never actually disconnected from the rest of the drive train. In other words, practically no energy is wasted. Shifting is also 60% faster than with the Tiptronic, and the seventh gear reduces rpm at 65 km/h (40 mph) by more than 30%. [...] PDK delivers better acceleration and is more economical than the standard 6-speed manual transmission. According to Porsche, 0-60 acceleration has been improved for all Carreras compared to the 2008 models. PDK and Launch Control help shave another 0.2 seconds off 0-60 times in all versions compared with a conventional manual transmission.
Defense mechanism
Automobil-Industrie 7- 8/2008 about the new 7-speed dual-clutch transmission the new Porsche 911 Carrera:
[...] The fact that the 911 is now up to 15 percent more fuel efficient is primarily attributed to the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission that has replaced the previous 5-speed torqueconverter transmission. In normal mode, the 911 shifts gears extremely fast, so that you quickly reach the highest gear at highway speeds. Drivers who prefer a sportier style can pick up the pace with the Sport and Sport Plus buttons. The Sport Plus setting, which according to Porsche is intended for the racetrack, appealed to us the most as the transmission functioned predictably and the engine operated with extreme agility.
Full-Scale MAN
Lastauto Omnibus 10/08 Road Test: MAN 26.480 6x4 with the off-road Tipmatic by ZF:
[...] If the lever is set to this symbol, the off-road mode is activated and shifts the automated transmission as if it had never done anything else in its life but drive around on off-road terrain. In general, gear changes are faster, for example, but also a bit more uncomfortable. Also the clutch got a move on. [...] In practice, this works excellently. Fantastically safe, the three-axle vehicle makes its way through the AS Tronic's twelve gear steps, even at demanding inclines, and the man at the wheel has to ungrudgingly admit that, with a manual transmission, he would by far not have changed the gears as swiftly as that.
"AirVerend"
Auto Motor und Sport, Test yearbook 2008 on the automatic 6-speed transmission by ZF for the Jaguar XKR convertible
[...]"The ZF automatic transmission in the Jaguar however shifts so smoothly and fast that a lot of other, continuous variable transmissions will most certainly suffer from a major existential crisis. The engine and the transmission as the dream team for relaxed low-speed coutryside parties (position D) or high-speed thrilling cornering races (position S). During downshifting, it even roars up briefly when double-declutching (dipping the throttle) - but just for the show that's fore sure - a genuine torque converter automatic transmission doesn't really need such features."
Top"Sports Conspiracy"
Sport Auto, Edition 5/2008 on the automatic 6-speed transmission by ZF for the Jaguar XF 4.2 Super V8 console level upon push of the start button is most certainly not the a rotary knob as with the iDrive in order to operate a multi-function unit, but the transmission's switch controls. There is no more perfect design approach to selecting the six gears of the smoothly operating, pristine automatic ZF transmission."
Grand Opening of the Factory for Hybrid in Schweinfurt
"Printed matter"
Auto Motor und Sport, 2008-04-24, issue 10, about the start/stop function in conjunction with automatic transmissions
[...]"The problem: When the combustion engine is at a standstill, the oil pump in the automatic transmission is not driven, the transmission is without pressure. This means that there is no sufficient oil pressure to activate the shift elements in the transmission - clutches and brakes. Starting up is not possible in this state since the torque flow from the engine to the driven wheels is interrupted."
[...]"Supplier and transmission manufacturer ZF has now developed a system for the new eight-speed automatic 8HP that speeds up pressure build-up and thus guarantees the start-up readiness of the automatic transmission in the same time that the combustion engine needs to ramp up.
[...]"In the case of models with the start/stop system, this so-called hydraulic impulse oil storage HIS is connected to the transmission's oil circuit. The HIS works according to the same principle as a spring-type actuator and only requires little electric power in the stop phases of the combustion engine. This comparatively simple system significantly speeds up the pressure build-up in the transmission; the driver can drive away as soon as the combustion engine is running. The start/stop function should reduce fuel consumption in the EU cycle by another five percent."
"The Car Future Will Stay Green"
Rhein-Main Newspaper, March 15, 2008, writes about ZF's automatic 8-speed transmission:
[…] "Thus, with the slogan "Efficient Dynamics", the diesel-electric drive of the BMW hybrid study was coupled to ZF's newly developed 8-speed automatic transmission."
[…] "More gears mean lower consumption. Currently, eight gears are state-of-the art. Correct shifting is only possible automatically. Indeed, automatic shifting is considerably better than any car driver could do it. The benefit of having as many gears as possible is obvious. They enable the engine to stay in the most economical speed for a broad range of velocities."
[…] "Fuel consumption in a car with an 8-speed transmission is to be six percent lower than with a 6-speed automatic transmission. Compared with the 5-speed automatic transmission, which is still widespread today, fuel savings of 14 percent are possible."
”Designer Diesel“
Auto Zeitung 08/2008, 2008-04-02 about the ZF 6-Speed-Automatic-Transmission 2nd Generation:
“During operation however, the V6 HDi 205 proved to be surprisingly sluggish and "toothless" while (the same engine) agilizes the Jaguar and generates considerably faster accelerations. This aspect is primarily determined by the transmission used: While the six-stepped Citroen transmission responds always in a hesitant manner and, particularly in cold conditions, is really harsh, the ZF automatic transmission excels in the Jaguar thanks to its spontaneous and always suitable response - without producing any kind of unnecessary hectic at all. Also in terms of the fuel consumption test, the Briton won advantageous 0.6 liters per 100 km.”
"AS Tronic Reduces Fuel Consumption"
VDI Nachrichten, Issue 8, February 22, 2008, writes about the first automatic truck transmission from ZF
[…] "In 1997, ZF Friedrichshafen AG developed the first automatic truck transmission, the AS Tronic, together with Iveco. With this technology, ZF took the commercial vehicle market by storm. Recently, the 250,000th AS Tronic came off the line at the Friedrichshafen plant. Apart from Iveco, also DAF, MAN, and several other truck manufacturers worldwide rely on the low-wear, economical transmission.
The AS Tronic always keeps commercial vehicle engines within the optimum speed range and ensures that power is efficiently transmitted to the axles. Further benefits: The drivers can concentrate on maneuvering and moving their vehicles. Shifting errors, which previously increased fuel consumption and wear, are a thing of the past with the AS Tronic."
"SaveAffection"
Auto Motor und Sport, Issue 6, February 28, 2008, writes about ZF's automatic 8-speed transmission in the BMW X5 Efficient Dynamics concept car
[…] "BMW has also opted for this technology with the X5 Efficient Dynamics concept car. The two-liter diesel with 204HP is used for the first time in the large off-roader which is supported by a 15kW powerful electric motor during acceleration. This E machine also recuperates braking energy and thus generates electricity for the electric consumers on board, which is stored in a lithium-ion accumulator. In combination with the new automatic 8-speed transmission by ZF, this study is to consume an average 6.5 liters/100 km, corresponding to CO2 emissions of 172g/km."
“Hunting with Jaguar”
www.motorvision.de about the 6-Speed Automatic Transmission of ZF in the Jaguar AJ 20:
[...] "The eight-cylinder turns fearlessly, approaching the red range which starts at 6,500 rpm. The automatic selector lever has long moved to the sports mode. A short pull of the right steering wheel paddle and the transmission operates in manual mode where shifting up one gear takes only 600 milliseconds. This happens as subtly as in the automatic mode. Our compliments to the transmission engineers of the German supplier ZF who designed the sports car optimally, enabling automatic double-clutching during downshift. This may serve the mere purpose of showing off, but we have been told that one or the other sensitive fellow actually got a good fright..."
