Motorsports Genes as a Standard: ZF's Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission Excels in Racing Cars

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1 Page 1/5, Motorsports Genes as a Standard: ZF's Eight-Speed Automatic Transmission Excels in Racing Cars BMW M235i Racing launched with ZF eight-speed automatic transmission Pilots impressed by shift dynamics and reliability in endurance racing ZF Race Engineering plans further development of 8HP sports version to create additional product An automatic transmission that copes with extreme stresses of endurance racings and meets the drivers' high-performance demands? What seemed impossible just a few years ago has now been realized by ZF for the BMW M235i Racing. In the racing car, designed for private teams as well as the BMW Motorsport Junior Programme, drivers shift gears exclusively with the eight-speed automatic transmission (8HP) from ZF. As it is based on its volume-production counterpart, which runs successfully as a transmission option in millions of cars including the current BMW 2 Series, the motorsports engineers only had to make minor modifications. The 8HP has already passed one of the world's toughest stress tests, the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring-Nordschleife, with flying colors. By order of its customer BMW, ZF primarily aimed to adapt dynamic, reliable shifting to steering wheel paddles for the application in an entry-level racing vehicle. To do this, the company took a unique route: Instead of developing a racing transmission from scratch for the new BMW M235i Racing highspeed circuit car, the engineers worked on the basis of the existing 8HP. "With response times beneath the human perception threshold and very high reliability, this solution is already a hit in volume-production vehicles worldwide and is considered by experts to be a benchmark for modern automatic passenger car transmissions," commented Robert Schmelzer, application engineer at ZF as well as experienced racing driver. "Because we already had an enormously powerful and robust transmission to

2 Page 2/5, work with, no particularly extensive modifications were necessary to make the 8HP fit for racing." It only took the development team roughly six months for the job. Downshifting at a speed of just under 6,000 rpm It was quickly clear that no changes were necessary to the volumeproduction automatic transmission's hardware: "Thorough initial simulations and driving tests at BMW confirmed that the 8HP mechanics, hydraulics and electronics easily can cope with the extremely high longitudinal and lateral acceleration forces that occur during racing," emphasized Schmelzer. "However, we did adjust the transmission control unit." In contrast to their developments for highway passenger cars, the ZF engineers working on the 8HP racing transmission were able to focus exclusively on dynamics. Due to their software programming, every gear change takes place as fast as possible. There is no longer the option of switching between a comfort or fuel-saving mode. The same applies to the automatic mode: In the BMW M235i Racing, the 8HP only changes gears when the driver actively gives the command using the paddles on the steering wheel or the selector lever. "However, pilots can now even downshift again at a speed of just under 6,000 rpm," explained Schmelzer. Fewer defects, full concentration Furthermore, the automatic ZF transmission offers much more safety than manual racing transmissions. Most importantly, incorrect gear changes that could destroy the engine and transmission or jam the drive wheels are not possible. Any attempt to achieve the high shifting speed of the 8HP with conventional manual transmissions would severely limit its service life. The transmission also reduces the strain on drivers during heated races or attempts to achieve best times because they can focus fully on driving with both hands on the steering wheel - instead of also actuating the clutch and changing gears in the shift gate. "This is all the more important because vehicles of this category are often

3 Page 3/5, not driven by professional racing drivers, and the drivers often have to maintain concentration for more than four hours in endurance racings," Schmelzer said. Makes the grade on thousands of circuit kilometers With the BMW M235i Racing Cup, BMW has meanwhile established its own racing series for private teams. Added to this is the BMW Motorsport Junior Programme, a dedicated promotion program for young pilot talents. This involves teams of four young drivers completing, among other things, two VLN endurance racings and the 24-hour race on the Nürburgring in the 235i Racing. During the 24-hour contest, the 8HP displayed its full potential: "During 3,800 kilometers and under the world's toughest conditions, we had not one problem, not even a tiny one, with the automatic transmission," emphasizes BMW works driver and team mentor Dirk Adorf. Also full of praise was BMW junior driver Jesse Krohn after a VLN endurance racing in the "green hell": "Less shifting work means more time for the essentials. So on the whole, it's a safer - and above all faster - drive with the 8HP." ZF has continually optimized this racing transmission. That will make it attractive for more applications and vehicle segments in the future: "We plan to launch the 8HP in about one year also for exclusive road sports cars from low- and extra-low-volume manufacturers as well as for other race vehicles in mass and customer sports," explains Peter Leipold, a development engineer at ZF Race Engineering. "That's because there's an increasing demand worldwide by racing drivers for an automatic transmission that combines performance and reliability as brilliantly as this."

4 Page 4/5, Captions 1.) Uncompromisingly dynamic, incomparably reliable: the modified racing car version of the eight-speed automatic transmission (8HP) from ZF. 2.) Clutch actuation passé: With the 8HP, drivers in the BMW M235i Racing shift gears using steering wheel paddles instead of operating a manual transmission during heated battles and racing for the best time. 3.) Acid test: The BMW M235i Racing with modified 8HP from ZF is used for endurance racing and the 24-hour race on Nürburgring. Photos: ZF (1,2), BMW (3) Press Contact: Bryan Johnson, Senior Manager, Marketing and Communications, ZF North America Phone: ; bryan.johnson@zf.com Thomas Wenzel, Senior Manager Product Communication and Trade Press, Communications, ZF Group Phone: ; thomas.wenzel@zf.com ZF is a worldwide leading technology company in driveline and chassis technology with 122 production companies in 26 countries. In 2014, the Group will presumably achieve a sales figure of more than 18 billion with about employees. In order to continue to be successful with innovative products, ZF annually invests about 5 percent of its sales (2014: around 890 million) in research and development. ZF is one of the ten largest automotive suppliers worldwide. In 2015, the company will celebrate its centennial. Originally named Zahnradfabrik GmbH, ZF was founded in Friedrichshafen in 1915 by Luftschiffbau Zeppelin GmbH among others. In its early years, the company developed, tested and manufactured aircraft transmissions. After 1919, the company's focus shifted to the automotive and commercial vehicle industry under Alfred Graf von Soden-Fraunhofen, the first general manager and later head of the company. In this sector, the company registered numerous patents for innovative transmission technology and established itself once and for all as a

5 Page 5/5, major technology supplier. ZF grew outside of Europe in 1958 with a location in Brazil, launching a globalization drive that still continues. In addition, through product innovations and acquisitions, ZF constantly expanded its range of expertise. In 1984, ZF acquired the majority share in Lemförder Metallwaren & Co. KG, a move that extended the product portfolio to include chassis technology. In 2001, ZF took over the former Mannesmann Sachs AG to strengthen its value added product offering with driveline and chassis components. It adopted the current name of ZF Friedrichshafen AG in Today's product range includes driveline and chassis technology such as transmissions, driveline and chassis components, as well as complete axle systems and modules. ZF products are used in passenger cars, commercial vehicles, construction and agricultural machinery, rail vehicles and marine applications. The company also focuses on the wind power and electronic components business. In addition, ZF Services represents the company on the international aftermarket. In 2014, ZF announced its intention to acquire U.S. automotive supplier TRW. The shareholders of ZF Friedrichshafen AG are the Zeppelin Foundation, administered by the City of Friedrichshafen, holding a share of 93.8 percent, and the Dr. Jürgen and Irmgard Ulderup Foundation, Lemförde, with 6.2 percent. "Motion and Mobility," ZF s tagline, clearly states the company's core mission: Right from its foundation, ZF has developed and manufactured innovative products for all people around the globe who want to move things reliably, comfortably and safely all while experiencing the ultimate in efficient mobility. Quality, technological leadership and innovative power have always defined the company's identity today as much as ever. For further press information and photos please visit: