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From the ZF site: High-tech made in Germany: the 7-speed dual-clutch transmission for the Porsche 911 Carrera is produced at the ZF site in Brandenburg. It enables sporty driving performance with outstanding efficiency and better fuel economy than a manual transmission.

More: Multi-ratio automatic transmissions for cars

Benefits:

Fast acceleration because ZF automatic transmissions change gear with minimal interruption to traction.
Cost-effective driving because ZF automatic transmissions always operate in the most fuel-efficient engine speed range.
Safe and comfortable because automatic transmissions reduce the stresses and strains of road traffic significantly, e.g. in city traffic and when parking.
By virtue of the complete range of products ZF is able to supply, the automatic transmission is now establishing itself firmly across the board, even at the lower end of the mid-range sector and compact class. An overview of 6 and 8-speed transmissions provides you with some information about the range and variety of ZF products available.



6-speed automatic transmissions for cars

The 6-speed automatic transmission for RWD and 4WD vehicles is truly state-of-the-art, and can accommodate power ratings of up to 1000 Nm. Close ratio steps make the transmission more responsive to the torque characteristics of the engine. The electronic transmission control unit can be networked via a CAN bus to the engine control unit, and to dynamic, brake and stabilization systems employed for dynamic drive management tasks.



Marvel of innovation with 8 gears

ZF has developed a new automatic car transmission with eight speeds that can achieve 11% fuel savings. The priority aim in development, however, was not the maximum number of gears, but minimum consumption.

Several innovations have been introduced in the new 8HP to reduce fuel consumption: the completely new transmission concept with four gear sets and only two shift elements open, a higher overall gear ratio, a variable oil pump, new torque converter, and optimized hydraulic and transmission control. Also available as an optional add-on is a stop/start function that automatically cuts out the engine when the vehicle stops and restarts it when the brake is released.

With the start/stop function of the hydraulic impulse oil storage, it is possible to reduce fuel consumption by another 5%. Compared with the worldwide most efficient 6-speed automatic transmission by ZF, the newly developed 8-speed automatic transmission saves another 11%.

http://www.zf.com/corporate/en/prod...roducts/innovations/8hp_automatic_transmissions/8hp_automatic_transmission.html
 
Discussion starter · #43 ·
Thanks jinstall!

That's just about exactly what I was trying to get at earlier with David...

This is the benifit... better efficiency in general. Something that the cars of the new Chrysler Group will be much better at than the cars of Old Car Co, due in part to new cutting edge technologies like this, and like mentioned previously, the vast knowledge of small efficient engines from Fiat.Good things.
 
Anyone drive a Mazda CX-9? I had one for 3 days and drove it 400 miles and it was always searching for the right gear except when I was running 100+ with it. Better gearing needs better management as well. ZF is no slouch when it comes to designing transmissions and chassis's.
 
As for the GC srt improving it's 0-60 time, I read that the engineers for the next GC srt have already stated they want THIS to be the new benchmark for performance suv's. This pretty much means they want to beat the x6m in every category
 
Thanks jinstall!

That's just about exactly what I was trying to get at earlier with David...

This is the benifit... better efficiency in general. Something that the cars of the new Chrysler Group will be much better at than the cars of Old Car Co, due in part to new cutting edge technologies like this, and like mentioned previously, the vast knowledge of small efficient engines from Fiat.Good things.
It's still an autotragic. :thumbdown

I still say anything over 6 in a car is overkill.
 
Discussion starter · #49 ·
It's still an autotragic. :thumbdown

I still say anything over 6 in a car is overkill.
Autotragic indeed Dave.

But, like I mentioned, Chrysler NEEDS a very big leap forward in the automatic transmission department... and this is it:thumbup:.
 
Discussion starter · #50 ·
I will say this: the 7 speed in my e350 doesn't spend much time hunting for downshifts since it rarely needs to downshift.
Try that with the E320 and also it is a $56,000 starting price. As the price goes up things get more refined.
 
Discussion starter · #53 ·
I don't see why it would behave any differently than the e350?
Maybe he thinks e350, and he automatically think a big Ford van?
 
Me? E350 is a Mercedes Benz. E320 CDI is a diesel with a whole lot more torque.

MODEL: 2005 Mercedes-Benz E320CDI
ENGINE: 3.2-liter I6 diesel
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 201 hp @ 4,200 rpm/369 lb-ft @ 1,800-2,600 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 5-speed automatic

MODEL: 2006 Mercedes-Benz E350
ENGINE: 3.5-liter V6
HORSEPOWER/TORQUE: 268 hp @ 6,000 rpm/258 lb-ft @ 2,400 rpm
TRANSMISSION: 7-speed automatic
 
My 5th is too tall for towing and WOT shift drops 2400rps at 4-5. Towing at 62mph other than flat leaves the tranny searching back and forth for the right gear on medium grades. The CX-9 I drove would never come out of 6th unless you stomped on it.
 
Try driving a 5-7% grade. Towing or not.
 
Discussion starter · #59 ·
Just a little update...

http://www.allpar.com/news/index.php/2010/05/kokomo-approves-tax-breaks-for-8-speed-automatic

The Kokomo Common Council confirmed a five-year abatement on a $43 million investment in the Kokomo Transmission Plant and Casting Plant for increased production of the 62TE six-speed automatics, and a ten year tax abatement on a $300 million tooling for a proposed eight speed rear-wheel-drive automatic transmission. The 8-speed, destined for trucks and SRT models, is rumored to be jointly engineered by ZF and Chrysler, but ZF is likely to get full credit due to their reputation as a high-end supplier and a desire to sell it to other automakers.
The eight-speed transmission reportedly uses three sturdy planetary gear sets, each of which may be as costly to the company as a complete entry-level transmission. Building the transmissions would allow Kokomo to retain up to 1,184 jobs, according to the Kokomo Tribune, whose Scott Smith broke the story.
 
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