NOTABLE
ZF, Porsche and the 8DT
The ZF 8DT dual-clutch
transmission. A modular
design means it can be
used in a variety of setups,
including for electrified
vehicle operations.
ZF ( zf.com ) and Porsche have collaborated on an innovative
8-speed dual clutch transmission (8DT) that is modular in design
and engineering such that it lends itself to a variety of situations.
That is, this sports transmission can be used for rear-wheel and
all-wheel drive setups. It makes electric power an option through
the integration of a 100-kW hybrid module—without the need to
increase the overall length of the transmission. So all in, the trans-
mission can be used in four variants: standard, all-wheel drive,
hybrid and all-wheel hybrid. It is offered in three torque classes,
to a maximum of 1,000 Nm.
The 8DT includes two countershafts and one summation
shaft. The fixed gears are located on the transmission input
shafts; they can be used several times, resulting in fewer wheel
levels, which helps make the overall length of the transmission
smaller.
According to Dr. Jürgen
Greiner, Head of Development
for passenger car transmissions
at ZF Friedrichshafen AG, "In the
new 8DT sports transmission,
we combine blazing-fast shifts,
a great level of efficiency and
all-electric driving with the flexi-
bility to integrate different variants within a tight installation."
Speaking to the efficient operation of the transmission, Greiner
explains, "The first six gears with their compact gradation opti-
mizes acceleration to top speed. In contrast, the 7th and 8th gears
are configured as overdrive, so they significantly decrease rpm and
fuel consumption, even when not using electric power."
The first deployment is in the new Porsche Panamera.
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