At the annual "Auto Test Winners" prize-giving ceremony, ZF Friedrichshafen AG turned out to be the winner of the "Innovation of the Year" newly-created 2012 category. The editorial team from "Auto Test" motoring magazine, which is published by Axel Springer Auto Verlag, chose the 9-speed automatic transmission (9HP) as the best innovation of 2012: Designed for vehicles with a front-transverse engine, it is the world's first 9-speed automatic passenger car transmission.
This is the fourth year running that the editorial team has chosen the "Auto Test Winners of the Year" in the run-up to the Auto Mobil International (AMI) auto show in Leipzig, Germany. The 9HP turned out to be the automotive "Innovation of the Year". This transmission opens up new customer segments for ZF with its 'transverse-to-the-direction-of-travel' installation design. Thanks to its nine gears, this highly efficient transmission delivers fuel savings of up to 16 percent compared with today's standard 6-speed automatic transmissions with a front-transverse installation.
The 9HP is also designed according to the ZF modular principle: The basic transmission can be supplemented depending on requirements and customer wishes. Thus, different starting elements, hybrid and all-wheel drive applications can also be implemented cost-efficiently given the restricted installation space conditions with front-transverse passenger cars.
Thus, the transmission controls can be influenced by the OEM and the end customer: Shifting points and shifting dynamics are highly variable - from an emphasis on comfort and optimized fuel consumption through to extremely sporty. ZF has fully leveraged its expertise in the field of software development to produce this flexible transmission control unit.
ZF is engaged in intense preparations for the transmission's market launch and is currently setting up a transmission plant in Gray Court, S.C. (USA), where the 9HP will be produced from 2013.

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The editorial team from "Auto Test" motoring magazine chose the ZF 9-speed automatic transmission as automotive Innovation of the Year 2012.

Photo: ZF