Worldwide First 7-Speed Manual Transmission For Passenger Cars Comes From ZF

The seventh generation of the Porsche 911 Carrera/Carrera S, that was completely new developed and presented on last year's Frankfurt Motor Show, is still on the road to success with its new opposed cylinder engine at the rear. And ZF's 7-speed manual transmission (7MT) contributes to this success: It was designed based on the 7-speed dual clutch transmission (7DT) - which is also manufactured for Porsche - and offers excellent shifting comfort and sportive shifting forces. For this reason, the new 911 reaches its top speed already in the sixth gear. The seventh gear, however, has a high gearing and helps to save fuel. Also the high efficiency and the optimized weight of the 7MT contribute to fuel efficiency. Furthermore, it is equipped as a standard with an automatic start-stop system.

Since the 7-speed dual clutch transmission has a modular construction system, the 7-speed manual transmission could be designed with a lot of identical parts. However, there was one special challenge to tackle: At the dual clutch transmission, the gears are arranged differently compared to a standard H-type shift system, due to the differing concept. For this reason, ZF developed converted shifting actuators for the manual variant of the transmission. Like this, the classical H-type shift pattern could also be implemented with the dual clutch gearsets. At the same time, a patented system avoids incorrect gearshifts: The seventh gear, for instance, can only be engaged directly following the fifth or sixth gear.

In addition, ZF delivers optionally for the Porsche 911 the 7-speed dual clutch transmission, lightweight pedals made of plastics as well as suspension bearings for damping vibrations. The ZF Servolectric electric power steering is delivered by ZF Lenksysteme.