The car industry is not just about new models. In recent weeks, several manufacturers and suppliers have announced new developments when it comes to transmissions. And as you can see, there is a little bit of everything, from a new manual gearbox, to a two-speed gearbox for… electric.
ZF supplies FCA with new generation of 8HP
At 8HP ( 8 speeds with converter H Idraulic and gear set P ZF is a ubiquitous presence in the market, but also one of the best automatic transmissions money can buy — at least if the car in question has the engine in a longitudinal position.
We find it in many cars and different manufacturers: from the BMW X3 to the Alfa Romeo Giulia, from the Ram Pick-up to the Jaguar F-Type, to the luxurious Rolls-Royce Phantom or the sports car Aston Martin DBS Superleggera.
FCA (Fiat Chrysler Automobiles) is now reinforcing its commitment to ZF, signing a contract for the supply of the fourth generation of the 8HP, which will only start production in 2022.
Among the novelties of the new 8HP, the greatest will be the possibility of integrating an electrical component, as a result of its modularity, an option suitable for future plug-in hybrid proposals. Thus, it guarantees the necessary flexibility for manufacturers to react and adapt to market requirements, without having to resort to a separate transmission.
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We don't know which FCA models will be equipped with the fourth generation of the 8HP, but given the group's latest announcements regarding plug-in hybrids, it's to be expected that the new transmission will be part of their technological arsenal, especially their larger models. dimension — those that keep the engine in a longitudinal position.
Two speeds… for electric
The news from ZF does not stop with the new generation of 8HP. The supplier has also developed a new transmission for 100% electric cars with two speeds… Only two speeds? Well it's twice as much as what we see on trams today.
Electric cars, as a general rule, do not need a gearbox. The torque available from zero revolutions only requires a fixed ratio. A solution that, according to ZF, is not always ideal.
The new transmission comprises an electric motor with 140 kW (190 hp), two-speed transmission, and respective control electronics. According to ZF, for each cycle, the autonomy of the vehicle in question can increase up to 5% when compared to a conventional one-ratio system.
The ratio change happens at 70 km/h, but other strategies can be adopted. If the transmission is connected to the vehicle's CAN communication system, it will be able to connect to GPS and digital maps, which allows it to gain predictive characteristics. In this way, you can adopt the best strategy for changing the ratio on the route to be carried out, taking into account variables such as topography, or the location of charging stations.
It also promises to be a better solution for performance seekers, thanks to its modular approach:
Bert Hellwig, Head of System House in ZF's E-Mobility DivisionUntil now, with electric motors, car manufacturers had to choose between a high initial (value of) torque or a high maximum speed. We are now resolving this conflict and this new transmission will be compatible for performance vehicles and heavy (vehicle) vehicles — for example, vehicles that carry a trailer.
In this case, the electric motor can have up to 250 kW (340 hp) ensuring better accelerations and higher maximum speeds.
Volkswagen MQ281
Condemned countless times to extinction, it seems that this is not where we will see the end of the manual gearbox. Volkswagen has just unveiled the new MQ281, designed with efficiency in mind, which will allow, according to the manufacturer, to save up to 5 g/km of CO2, depending on the engine-box combination.
The Volkswagen Passat will be the first to receive it, but it will be used in most of the brands of the huge German group.
Designed to meet the demands of today's automobile — that is, the trend towards SUVs and oversized wheels, which requires extra effort on the part of transmissions — the new MQ281 will eventually practically replace the MQ250 and MQ350, as it is prepared to deal with a torque range between 200 Nm and 340 Nm.
Developed using virtual methods, it allowed optimization of various areas, such as friction, lubrication — Volkswagen says it only needs 1.5 l of oil for its entire working life —, noise and vibrations (new design of the outer casing).
The new MQ281 will be produced in Córdoba, Argentina, and also in Barcelona, Spain, through SEAT and its SEAT Components unit.
Hyundai Active Shift Control
Finally, this is not a new broadcast, but it is related to the theme. Hyundai introduced a technology called Active Shift Control, which allows for a 30% reduction in gear change time in its hybrid proposals, increasing its efficiency.
The Active Shift Control (ASC) technology applies new software control logic to the Hybrid Control Unit (HCU) — which monitors the transmission rotation speed 500 times per second — allowing you to control the electric motor, which by its time it aligns the rotation speed of the engine and transmission, thus reducing the gear change time, from 500ms to 350ms.
The result: not only improves acceleration, but also fuel economy, it also achieves smoother yet faster shifts. It also contributes to increased transmission durability by reducing friction during gear change.
The first car to be equipped with this system will be in the next Hyundai Sonata Hybrid, not marketed in Portugal, but we will certainly see this solution reach other hybrid proposals of the brand, such as the Ioniq.