ZF 8-Speed Trans Saves Gas

Fuel efficiency improvements come in many forms. The most top-of-mind ones are brought to us by hybrids and a new crop of small cars. But a vehicle doesn't have to be a hybrid to get better mileage and it certainly doesn't have to be pint-sized. Sometimes it just has to be "smarter."

 

That's the approach being brought to new cars by ever-more efficient powertrains and subsystems. Take the new 8-speed automatic transmission developed by driveline and chassis supplier ZF, an innovation that improves upon the already-efficient 6-speed automatic that's made waves because of its amazing efficiency. According to the company, the ZF 8-speed automatic provides a 6 percent fuel efficiency improvement over its 6-speed counterpart, and up to 14 percent compared to today's more common 5-speed automatics.

                           

The company also has its eye on the future, since the automatic 8-speed transmission offers the potential for incorporating both a micro hybrid with crankshaft starter-generator and a full parallel hybrid system. The new ZF 8-speed transmission is sure to make its own set of waves once it finds its way into coming production model vehicles.