The ZF PowerLine 8-speed automatic transmission was retrofitted to this Dodge Ram 3500 with ballast placed in the truck bed, simulating the weight distribution of a medium duty work truck. The PowerLine automatic transmission has an anticipated launch date of 2020.

ZF intros 8-speed automatic transmission and lane keep assist technology

June 18, 2018

The company has adapted safety technologies from their passenger car division as a jumping point to commercial vehicle product development.

Erica Schueller

ZF, a global chassis and powertrain supplier, introduced a number of new developing technologies designed for the North American commercial vehicle market. The technologies included the new PowerLine 8-speed automatic transmission, OnTraX lane keep assistance technology, eActivMode fuel efficiency pump and updates to its ReAX power steering column, launched last year.

The announcements and product demonstrations were conducted during a recent press conference and demonstration event at the Lucas Oil Speedway in Indianapolis.

New transmission launch

Specifically, the German-based company showcased its new PowerLine 8-speed automatic transmission designed for Class 5 through Class 8 medium duty, bus, RV and vocational heavy duty truck applications.

Christian Feldhaus, Senior Project Manager, Sales at ZF Friedrichshafen AG, and his team worked to develop and launch the PowerLine automatic transmission.

Designed specifically for the North American market, the PowerLine 8-speed automatic transmission is designed to accommodate a wide range of class 5-8 vehicle applications (actually designed for vehicles weighing up to 57,000 lbs), with a gear set capable of providing up to 1,000 lb-ft of torque.

The PowerLine features seamless skip-shift capabilities of up to six gears at once to improve acceleration and provide power when required, and can be mated with an engine-driven power take-off (PTO) on either side of the transmission unit, to add an additional 485 lb-ft of torque.

In order to adapt to future technologies, the PowerLine features extensive software capabilities which can be programmed based on the requirements of the fleet, or future technology advancements, such as adaptive starting gear, neutral idle control, stop-start and more.

“The ultimate goal is to improve the total cost of ownership," said Feldhaus. Ultimately, the company aims to provide higher torque rating capabilities in a competitively-priced product, with low operating costs and improved fuel efficiency.

Regarding maintenance, Feldhaus advised the transmission filter would last the life of the vehicle. The product is set to launch in 2020.

Other product introductions and updates

Introduced for commercial vehicles last year, ZF's ReAX adaptive steering technology is an electric motor control system that works with hydraulic gear to improve the driving experience. It is designed to make the vehicle easier to steer for all drivers, helping to reduce driver fatigue and improve safety.

The ReAX technology has otherwise been in use for nearly a decade, with more than 25,000 units spec'd on motorcoaches and buses throughout North America. It is anticipated the ReAX technology, with the ability to be either column-mounted or gear-mounted, would be an available spec for partnered North American commercial vehicle OEs in the near future.

ReAX adaptive steering technology is a basic building block for the OnTraX Lane Keep Assist, as a safety technology designed to alert drivers through corrective steering. OnTraX aids in reducing unintended lane departures, including mitigating potential collisions, and increasing driver awareness. It does not provide an audio cue, but rather the steering wheel itself will provide guidance by way of suggested steering adjustments to the driver, when the OnTrax system is enabled. There is no set launch date for this product, but ZF officials confirmed they are in discussions with OEMs about the possibility of spec'ing this technology.

ZF also introduced its eActivMode hydraulic steering pump, which works in conjunction with the ReAX power steering pump technology to aid in optimized fuel efficiency. The eActiveMode hydraulic steering pump works in eco-Coast mode, allowing drivers the ability to still have steering ability when the engine is off. For instance, this technology could be used in what ZF officials refer to as sailing, a proposed method of fuel efficiency where the engine is shut off to save fuel. When the engine is on, the system would uitlize the ReAX power steering pump in eco-Cruise mode. This system is designed to be a step toward full electronic power steering.

Current company focus

Since the company's acquisition of TRW Automotive in 2015, ZF has been making a push into the North American market, and has continued to pursue leveraging its developments in passenger car technologies to adapt those for the commercial vehicle. In 2017, 27 percent of the company's $42.5M in sales were generated in North America.

ZF looks to continue development of automated vehicle and electrification technologies, capitalizing on the high-volume passenger car technologies the company has already developed, making adaptations as necessary to suit heavy duty commercial vehicle applications. According to ZF representatives, about 80 percent of the core development of passenger vehicles is also used as the base for commercial vehicle technology development in these areas.

The company looks to focus on what they refer to as the "three mega trends" that will significantly change the trucking industry:

Automated driving
Safety technologies
Efficiency and electrification of powertrains

ZF officials confirm the challenge will continue with converting conventional technology into electrified technology. In addition to the recent launches to the ZF product portfolio, the company plans to continue product developments through the use and advancements of advanced driver assistance system (ADAS) components in addition to utilizing camera, radar and LiDAR technologies.

About the Author

Erica Schueller | Media Relations Manager | Navistar

Erica Schueller is the Media Relations Manager for Navistar.

Before joining Navistar, Schueller served as Editorial Director of the Endeavor Commercial Vehicle Group. The commercial vehicle group includes the following brands: American Trucker, Bulk Transporter, Fleet Maintenance, FleetOwner, Refrigerated Transporter, and Trailer/Body Builders brands.

An award-winning journalist, Schueller has reported and written about the vehicle maintenance and repair industry her entire career. She has received accolades for her reporting and editing in the commercial and automotive vehicle fields by the Truck Writers of North America (TWNA), the International Automotive Media Competition (IAMC), the Folio: Eddie & Ozzie Awards and the American Society of Business Publication Editors (ASBPE) Azbee Awards.

Schueller has received recognition among her publishing industry peers as a recipient of the 2014 Folio Top Women in Media Rising Stars award, acknowledging her accomplishments of digital content management and assistance with improving the print and digital products in the Vehicle Repair Group. She was also named one Women in Trucking’s 2018 Top Women in Transportation to Watch.

She is an active member of a number of industry groups, including the American Trucking Associations' (ATA) Technology & Maintenance Council (TMC), the Auto Care Association's Young Auto Care Networking Group, GenNext, and Women in Trucking.

In December 2018, Schueller graduated at the top of her class from the Waukesha County Technical College's 10-week professional truck driving program, earning her Class A commercial driver's license (CDL).

She has worked in the vehicle repair and maintenance industry since 2008.