German automotive solution provider ZF has recently bagged the Automotive Innovation Award for its hybrid transmission. The company’s 8-speed plug-in hybrid transmission was honored as the most advanced automotive supplier in the “driveline electrification” category. The award was presented to the company by representatives from the independent Center of Automotive Management (CAM) Institute and audit company Pricewaterhouse Coopers (PwC).
According to Michael Hankel, Member of the Board of Management responsible for Production, efficiency is one of ZF’s main development objectives, and the electrification of the driveline—whether in the form of a hybrid or an all-electric drive—is one of the firm’s leading levers to attain this. He adds that their new 8-speed plug-in hybrid transmission has enabled them to make a revolutionary step in this direction. “The renowned Automotive Innovations Award once again highlights our innovative strength.”
The BMW X5 xDrive40e is the first-ever production application of the new plug-in hybrid transmission, which is based on the advanced 8-speed automatic transmission (8HP). The torque converter in its housing is replaced with an electric motor producing up to 90 kW peak power and 45 kW continuous power, without taking up any extra installation space.
