| New
engineering development with improved performance and lower fuel consumption -
ZF automatic transmission production surpasses 10 million mark. Automotive
industry supplier ZF has developed a new generation of 6-speed automatic transmissions.
The latest model is more dynamic and fuel efficient. Extremely fast reaction times
make the new transmission ideal for mid-range and full-size car manufacturers
interested in combining user convenience with high performance and driving dynamics.
ZF introduced
the world's first 6-speed automatic transmission in 2001. Since 1965, the company
has manufactured 10 million automatic transmissions and is the industry's leading
independent supplier specializing in automatic transmission engineering and production.
In 2005, the ZF Car Driveline Technology Division based in Saarbruecken, Germany,
supplied 994,000 automatic transmissions to international car manufacturers. Introduced
in 2001, ZF 6-speed automatic transmissions now accounts for 90 percent of the
division's total production. "Our
new product represents a quantum leap in automatic transmission engineering,"
says Dr. Michael Paul, ZF Executive Vice President in charge of Technology and
Group Executive, Car Driveline Technology Division. The new-generation 6-speed
automatic reduces fuel consumption by 3 percent in gasoline-powered cars, and
up to 6 percent in combination with high-torque diesel engines. The new transmission
also improves acceleration. ZF engineers reduced the reaction time by 50 percent
and created the first multi-ratio automatic transmission capable of downshifting
through several gears at once. The new ZF automatic has been available since September
2006 as an option in the new BMW 3-Series coupe and X3 SUV. Offering a unique
combination of sports car performance and operating convenience, the new-generation
6-speed automatic will soon be available in other models produced by the Munich-based
manufacturer.
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