An automatic transmission is a multi-speed transmission used in motor vehicles that does not require any input from the driver to change forward gears under normal driving conditions.
A transmission is a mechanical device which uses a gear set—two or more gears working together—to change the speed, direction of rotation, or torque multiplication/reduction in a machine.
A semi-automatic transmission is a multiple-speed transmission where part of its operation is automated, but the driver's input is still required to launch the vehicle from a standstill and to manually change gears. Semi-automatic transmissions were almost exclusively used in motorcycles and are based on conventional manual transmissions or sequential manual transmissions, but use an automatic clutch system. But some semi-automatic transmissions have also been based on standard hydraulic automatic transmissions with torque converters and planetary gearsets.
ZF Friedrichshafen AG, also known as ZF Group, originally Zahnradfabrik Friedrichshafen, and commonly abbreviated to ZF, is a German technology manufacturing company that supplies systems for passenger cars, commercial vehicles and industrial technology. It is headquartered in Friedrichshafen, in the south-west German state of Baden-Württemberg. Specializing in engineering, it is primarily known for its design, research and development, and manufacturing activities in the automotive industry and is one of the largest automotive suppliers in the world. Its products include driveline and chassis technology for cars and commercial vehicles, along with specialized plant equipment such as construction equipment. It is also involved in the rail, marine, defense and aviation industries, as well as general industrial applications. ZF has 162 production locations in 31 countries with approximately 168,700 (2023) employees.
A direct-shift gearbox is an electronically controlled, dual-clutch, multiple-shaft, automatic gearbox, in either a transaxle or traditional transmission layout, with automated clutch operation, and with fully-automatic or semi-manual gear selection. The first dual-clutch transmissions were derived from Porsche in-house development for the Porsche 962 in the 1980s.
7G-Tronic is Mercedes-Benz's trademark name for its 7-speed automatic transmission, starting off with the W7A 700 and W7A 400 as core models.
The automated manual transmission (AMT) is a type of transmission for motor vehicles. It is essentially a conventional manual transmission equipped with automatic actuation to operate the clutch and/or shift gears.
6HP is ZF Friedrichshafen AG's trademark name for its 6-speed automatic transmission models for longitudinal engine applications, designed and built by ZF's subsidiary in Saarbrücken. Released as the 6HP 26 in 2000, it was the first 6-speed automatic transmission in a production passenger car. Other variations of the first generation 6HP in addition to the 6HP 26, were 6HP19, and 6HP 32 having lower and higher torque capacity, respectively. In 2007, the second generation of the 6HP series was introduced, with models 6HP 21 and 6HP 28. A 6HP 34 was planned, but never went into production.
Shift time refers to the time interval between gear changes in a transmission. This interval is the time in which power delivery is transferred to the next selected gear, and engine speed is reduced or increased to synchronize the speed of the next gear. Shift time is usually in reference to motor vehicles, but can apply to any gearbox. Shift time is measured by the time it takes for the engine rpm to synchronize with the next gear input speed target. This is illustrated by ZF, describing the 100-300 millisecond shifts of their DCT transmissions.
Easytronic is the Opel tradename for a type of transaxle-based automated manual transmission, as used in some Opel/Vauxhall cars.
5G-Tronic is Mercedes-Benz's trademark name for its 5-speed automatic transmission, starting off with the W5A 580 and W5A 330 as core models.
The Aisin AW TF-8# SC series is a 6-speed automatic transmission designed for use in transverse engine applications produced by Aisin Seiki. It is built in Anjō, Japan, and is also called TF-80SC (AWF21), AF40-6, AM6, AW6A-EL and TF-81SC (AF21). All-wheel drive transfer cases can be fitted to the AWTF-80 SC.
8HP is ZF Friedrichshafen AG's trademark name for its 8-speed automatic transmission models with hydraulic converter and planetary gearsets for longitudinal engine applications. Designed and first built by ZF's subsidiary in Saarbrücken, Germany, it debuted in 2008 on the BMW 7 Series (F01) 760Li sedan fitted with the V12 engine. BMW remains a major customer for the transmission.
The ZF Ecomat automotive transmission was specifically designed by ZF Friedrichshafen AG primarily for city-buses and motorcoaches. It has several generations – all of the automatic transmission type, and many variants. The latest variants use a lock-up torque converter along with a retarder. Some variants are listed below.
Twin Clutch SST is the brand name of a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, developed by Getrag for Mitsubishi Motors. The system was first incorporated in the 2008 Lancer Evolution X, and was designed to be a more performance-oriented system than that developed by rival manufacturers, with shorter gear ratios optimized for acceleration.
A dual-clutch transmission (DCT) is a type of multi-speed vehicle transmission system, that uses two separate clutches for odd and even gear sets. The design is often similar to two separate manual transmissions with their respective clutches contained within one housing, and working as one unit. In car and truck applications, the DCT functions as an automatic transmission, requiring no driver input to change gears.
9G-Tronic is Mercedes-Benz's trademark name for its 9-speed automatic transmission, starting off with the W9A 700 as core model. The transmission debuted on the E 350 BlueTEC in 2013, and successively replaced both the 7-speed 7G-Tronic (PLUS) transmission and the 5-speed 5G-Tronic transmission. It includes versions for a maximum input torque of 1,000 N⋅m (738 lb⋅ft).
The Alpina B12 is a name given to high-performance luxury automobiles manufactured by German automobile manufacturer Alpina. The B12 originally succeeded the B11 4.0 in 1988 which was based on the BMW 7 Series (E32) and was also based on the same car. Subsequent models were based on the BMW 7 Series (E38) and the BMW 8 Series (E31). Production ended in 2001 when the 7 Series (E38) models were discontinued. The B12 was replaced by the B7 (E65) and the B6 (E63).
