ZF Readying Own Eight-Speed Automatic
German supplier ZF is hard at work on an eight-speed automatic that it says is designed with both hybrids and all-wheel drive in mind. Lexus, you may recall, was the first automaker to bring such a gearbox to market in their techo-happy LS460 sedan.
ZF’s octo-ratio transmission reportedly augments fuel economy by six percent over a six-speed ‘box, yet it can handle more torque and is dimensionally similar to the company’s own unit with two fewer ratios.
Comments
biturbo
This is lame!
Increasing the number of gears is a cheap trick. Yes, it may get slightly better economy during boring sedated driving. But if driving like that why not buying a Prius?
No torque converter slushbox can compete with the dual-clutch transmissions like DSG.
ZF wake up!
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