Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission Developed

Anthony Fontanelle
May 3, 2007

The world of the auto industry is a dynamic one. Innovations after innovation are being churned out by car manufacturers and parts supplier and are sent out to the market for the consumers to look into and perhaps even patronize. These innovations are of great help to consumers as they are given better products. Volvo for example has been giving the auto industry with safety features after safety features. The consumers are benefited since in the end, they will be the one using the technologies developed. Recently, a new innovation was unveiled at the Vienna Motor Symposium. The technological advancement came in the form of the eight-speed automatic transmission developed by ZF.

Dr. Michael Paul, the ZF Executive Vice-President for their Technology and Group Executive of the Car Driveline Technology Division, has this to say about the development of the eight-speed automatic transmission: “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.” He also pointed out that “the number of gears was not given top priority” in the development of the new transmission that seems to be completed at present time.

The technologically advanced gear box uses an innovative transmission technology and the use of which leads to the reduction of the fuel consumption of a vehicle equipped with the eight-speed transmission. Compared to vehicles equipped with the second-generation ZF six-speed automatic transmission, the new one can reduce fuel consumption by as much as six percent. While that figure may seem a bit low, a vehicle in service for a long time can surely take advantage of the fuel consumption reduction capability of the new transmission.

The transmission’s effect on fuel consumption stands out even more when compared to a vehicle equipped with a five-speed automatic transmission. The difference between that vehicle and one equipped with the eight-speed automatic transmission in terms of fuel consumption is 14 percent.

The new transmission does this by utilizing four planetary gears and five shift elements. For every gear, only two of the five shift elements are opened. This means that the drag produced in the transmission is reduced thus lessening power wastage for the vehicle. With eight speeds to choose from, gear ratios are spaced so that it provides smooth transmission of power from one gear to another. This also reduces the amount of power wasted as it travels from the engine to the drive wheels.

Aside from these, vibration dampers are also integrated to the transmission assembly. Reduced vibrations also help reduce the power wasted translating to less fuel needed to drive a vehicle. The use of this technology can be expected in the near future as car manufacturers address the issues of greenhouse gas emissions and fossil fuel dependence. With a good supporting cast of high quality components like brake parts available at EBC Active Brakes Direct, a vehicle equipped with this newly developed technology can be considered as the future of passenger cars.

Source:  Amazines.com