The 8-speed automatic transmission ZF 8HP70 has been produced by the German company since 2009 and is installed on rear or all-wheel drive BMW models under the indexes GA8HP70Z and GA8HP70X. This automatic transmission is also installed on Jaguar and Land Rover, as well as Chrysler, Dodge and Jeep as the 870RE.
1st generation of the 8HP family: 8HP45, 8HP55, 8HP70, 8HP90.
Specifications
| Production years | since 2009 |
| Type | automatic transmission |
| Number of gears | 8 |
| Type of drive | all wheel / rear |
| Engine volume, l | up to 5.5 |
| Torque output, Nm | up to 700 |
| Recommended oil | ZF Lifeguard Fluid 8 |
| Oil capacity, liter | 8.8 |
| Replacing the oil | every 60,000 km |
| Replacing the filter | every 60,000 km |
| Gearbox lifespan, km | ~300 000 |
| Weight, kg | 87 |
In 2009, the German company ZF introduced an 8-speed automatic transmission to replace the 6-speed automatic transmission 6HP26, which was intended for rear-wheel drive and all-wheel drive cars with a longitudinal engine. This automatic transmission is installed with powerful V6 and V8 engines, as well as diesel engines with torque up to 700 Nm.
Compared to the old 6-speed gearboxes, the design of the mechanical part has changed and instead of the Lepeletir planetary gear system, a so-called Simpson gearbox has appeared. Also, according to modern tradition, this automatic transmission is equipped with a built-in Start-Stop system. The valve body is new here, but as before, it is combined with the control unit into a single mechatronics unit.
Gear ratios ZF 8HP70
Using the example of a BMW 550i 2015 with a 4.4 liter engine:
| Main | 2.813 |
| 1st | 4.714 |
| 2nd | 3.143 |
| 3rd | 2.106 |
| 4th | 1.667 |
| 5th | 1.285 |
| 6th | 1.000 |
| 7th | 0.839 |
| 8th | 0.667 |
| Reverse | 3.317 |
The transmission was installed on:
- Aston Martin
Rapide 1 in 2014 – 2020; Vanquish 2 in 2014 – 2018; - BMW
3-Series F30 in 2012 – 2018; 4-Series F32 in 2013 – 2020; 5-Series F07 in 2009 – 2017; 5-Series F10 in 2010 – 2017; 6-Series F12 in 2011 – 2018; 7-Series F01 in 2009 – 2015; X3-Series F25 in 2011 – 2017; X4-Series F26 in 2014 – 2018; X5-Series E70 in 2010 – 2013; X5-Series F15 in 2013 – 2018; X6-Series E71 in 2010 – 2014; X6-Series F16 in 2014 – 2019; - Chrysler 300C 2 (LD) since 2014;
- Dodge
Challenger 3 (LC) since 2014; Charger 2 (LD) since 2014; Durango 3 (WD) since 2014; - Great Wall Poer 1 (P06) since 2019;
- Haval
H8 I in 2017 – 2018; H9 I since 2017; - Jeep Grand Cherokee 4 (WK2) in 2013 – 2016;
- Jaguar
F-Type 1 (X152) since 2013; F-Pace 1 (X761) since 2016; XE 1 (X760) since 2015; XJ 8 (X351) in 2012 – 2019; XF 1 (X250) in 2011 – 2015; XF 2 (X260) since 2015; - Land Rover
Discovery 4 (L319) in 2012 – 2017; Discovery 5 (L462) since 2017; Range Rover 4 (L405) in 2012 – 2021; Range Rover Sport 2 (L494) since 2013; Velar 1 (L560) since 2017; - Maserati
Ghibli 1 (M157) since 2013; Levante 1 (M161) since 2016; Quattroporte 6 (M156) since 2013; - Rolls-Royce
Phantom 7 (RR1) in 2012 – 2017; Phantom 7 Drophead (RR2) in 2012 – 2017; Phantom 7 Coupe (RR3) in 2012 – 2017; - Volkswagen Amarok 1 (2H) since 2016.
Disadvantages of the ZF 8HP70 gearbox
- This is a reliable and durable automatic transmission, but it is installed on very powerful cars, and their owners are prone to overly aggressive driving, which is why the torque converter lock-up clutch quickly wears out, the solenoids become clogged with this dirt, and the gearbox begins to push.
- Severe wear of the torque converter locking clutch leads to vibration of the shaft and destruction of the oil pump bearing, and then complete damage to its housing.
- There are a lot of aluminum parts in this gearbox and they cannot withstand high loads, so with very active use, burst pistons or drums are not uncommon.
- A known weak point of automatic transmissions of this line are short-lived bushings and oil seals, which quickly wear out, which leads to a drop in lubricant pressure in the system
