Transmission options

In this comprehensive review of technology, ZF's Group Vice President for Product Development concludes that the future belongs to automated manual, continuously variable, and six-speed automatic and manual transmissions with increased capacities.

Just a few years ago, driveline configurations in passenger cars easily could be categorized into two groups: “standard” drive, with a longitudinal, inline engine/transmission unit in the front of the vehicle powering the rear wheels, or front-wheel drive, with a transverse engine/transmission in front. Other driveline configurations, such as rear engine with rear-wheel drive, were special cases. Transmission choices were either manual or automatic with four or five speeds.

More recently, the diversification and broadening of the passenger-car market has led to new driveline configurations and transmissions. In addition, the ever-growing commitment to fuel consumption and emissions reductions, as well as better performance and comfort, require new transmission solutions.