Better eight than never
Transmission warfare goes into overdrive as ZF unleashes an all-new eight-speed autoLexus achieved the distinction of being the first manufacturer to offer an eight-speed auto (in its new LS 460 flagship), but German transmission specialist ZF (Zahnradfrabrik Friedrichshafen) has matched this feat with an eight-speeder of its own.
Unveiled at the recent Vienna Motor Symposium, the new transmission is said to deliver fuel consumption savings of six per cent compared with ZF's already impressive six-speed self-shifter.
ZF claims the gains are even more pronounced -- around 14 per cent -- in comparison to a typical five-speed auto offered in contemporary vehicles.
The eight-speeder is also said to drain less power and is claimed to be compatible with future hybrids and all-wheel drives.
"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," says a ZF spokesman in the official press release.
"The number of gears was not given top priority."
Currently, the Lexus LS 460 is the only passenger car on the market with an eight-speed automatic. Mercedes-Benz comes closest with its 7G-Tronic seven-speed auto, which is gradually being phased in across its line-up.
Several other European prestige manufacturers (such as Audi, BMW and Jaguar) have been content to use ZF's 6HP26 six-speed auto. However, ZF claims the new eight-speed auto can transmit a higher input torque without any increase in weight over the 6HP26.
ZF also claims the design engineers of the eight-speed transmission have also ensured it will be compatible with upcoming all-wheel-drive and hybrid concepts.
Expect to see the new transmission debut in premium models such as the BMW 7 Series, but it's likely to trickle down to lesser offerings in due course.
Our own Ford Falcon (and Territory) is currently available with a ZF six-speed auto (more here), but cost is likely to rule out the eight-speeder from being slotted into the local blue oval products in the foreseeable future.
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