ZF 8HP transmission

ZF 8HP
Automatic Transmission 8HP70
Overview
Manufacturer	ZF Friedrichshafen
Production	2008–
Body and chassis
Class	8-speed longitudinal automatic transmission
Chronology
Predecessor	ZF 6HP transmission

The ZF 8HP is an eight-speed automatic transmission designed and built by ZF Friedrichshafen. It had its debut in the new BMW 7 Series (F01) 760Li saloon fitted with the V12 engine, and since then each new BMW model in all Series down to the 1 Series in rear-wheel-drive and all-wheel-drive versions have been equipped with it.

One of its main aims is to improve vehicle fuel economy, and it can achieve an 11% saving compared to the ZF 6-speed transmission and 14% versus modern 5-speed transmissions. Due to changes in internal design, the shift times have reduced to 200 milliseconds; additionally, the unit brings the ability to shift in a non-sequential manner - going from gear 8 to gear 2 in extreme situations. In the 8HP70 version, it has a torque handling limit of 700 newton metres (516 lbf·ft), and weighs 87 kilograms (192 lb).

Future development will see two four-wheel drive versions available, with a version destined for Volkswagen Group applications using a Torsen centre differential. It will be able to encompass a torque range from 300 newton metres (221 lbf·ft) to 1,000 newton metres (738 lbf·ft), and will be available for use in middle-class cars through to large luxury sport utility vehicles.

Chrysler Group LLC initially received the 8HP 8-speed automatic transmissions from the ZF plant in Saarbrucken, Germany. By 2013, in parallel with Chrysler Group, ZF had set up a new transmission production plant in Gray Court, South Carolina. ZF Friedrichshafen and Chrysler Group have reached a supply and license agreement for the 8HP. Chrysler Group is licensed to produce the 8HP at the company’s Kokomo Transmission Plant and the Kokomo Casting plant, production began in 2013.