ZF technology in passenger cars

Automobiles also move people in an emotional way. This fascination goes beyond eye-catching designs and high-performance engines. Attention is also focused on intelligent concepts that combine future mobility and driving enjoyment with lower fuel consumption, environmental protection and improved safety features. These characteristics are anything but contradictory for ZF. In the world of driveline and chassis technology, ZF has been setting the standards for decades. As a reliable partner for car manufacturers, the focus at ZF is on making cars more agile, safer and more efficient.

Resource conservation: economical drive systems

More mobility and drive, but less energy consumption: ZF proves that this is no contradiction in terms. ZF products are already cutting fuel consumption and thus also CO2 emissions today. New-generation transmissions promise optimal performance, while taking into account considerations of economy and environmental protection. With the 8-speed automatic transmission, ZF engineers have created a product that cuts fuel consumption by up to a further 11 percent when compared to a 6-speed automatic transmission. Alongside this, ZF is intensifying work to develop hybrid drives, and already offers a full range, from individual components to the full hybrid system. Not to mention that fuel consumption is also further reduced through the use of light materials, such as aluminum and titanium.

Driving dynamics and comfort

 

Driving is a pleasure when driving dynamics and comfort go hand in hand. This means allowing for sportier or more cautious driving, according to preference. ZF’s driveline and chassis products do just that: ZF transmissions, such as the second-generation 6-speed automatic transmission and the dual-clutch transmission, shift gears so quick that the driver barely notices. Intelligent shifting electronics adapt to the individual driving style and almost infer the driver’s intent from the soles of his feet, whether it's quick passing or smooth cruising.

ZF technology for greater safety

 

Better driving safety is and will remain one of the most important goals of automotive innovation in all vehicle classes. As a leading player in chassis technology, ZF will continue to play an important part in achieving this. Safety-related products from ZF are already well established in the automotive market: the adaptive CDC (Continuous Damping Control), active steering and ARS (Active Roll Stabilization) systems. ZF is also driving the development of innovative components that don’t rely on electronics. Examples include the Nivomat leveling system and Sensitive Damping Control.

Automatic trends

All-electric vehicles may someday rule the road. But until then, manufacturers will continue to develop combustion engines, traditional drives and hybrid solutions aimed at cutting fuel consumption and CO2 emissions without sacrificing driving comfort and dynamics. Transmissions play an important part here. An automatic transmission enables substantial cuts in fuel consumption and CO2 emissions. ZF’s latest automatic transmissions are already equaling or improving on fuel consumption and acceleration statistics for manual transmissions.