German automotive supplier ZF is using the IAA Mobility show in Munich to present a wide range of technologies, including its new SELECT e-drive platform, thermal management system and an upgraded hybrid transmission.
The company said its approach to electrification is moving away from “off-the-shelf products” towards a modular platform that allows manufacturers to configure different types of electric drives. The SELECT system integrates electric motors, inverters, converters, reduction gearboxes and software, with each module offered as a kit of multiple options.
ZF said this approach enables shorter development times and faster innovation cycles while maintaining cost efficiency. “In the market for electrified drives, ZF is positioning itself with a flexible platform approach that allows a wide range of drive configurations,” the company explained.
Alongside its e-drive platform, ZF is displaying the TherMaS system for electric vehicles. By optimising thermal management and using drivetrain waste heat, the system can extend range by up to 10% in winter conditions and as much as 30% in extreme scenarios, according to ZF. The use of propane as a refrigerant also improves thermal performance and reduces system weight.
For hybrids, ZF has introduced the 8HP evo transmission, an updated version of its well-known eight-speed automatic. The new model supports up to 200 kW of electric power, compared with 160 kW in its predecessor, while torque increases from 500 to 600 Nm. The company said efficiency gains could extend plug-in hybrid range by about 10% with the same battery size. “In this way, we are ensuring that we can also fully exploit the possibilities of electrification in hybrid drives,” said Otmar Scharrer, Head of Development for Electrified Drive Technologies.
The supplier is also highlighting chassis innovations such as steer-by-wire and brake-by-wire solutions, alongside its scalable ZF ProAI computer for driver assistance systems. CEO Holger Klein said: “At ZF, innovations were and are the basis for a successful future. We have consistently aligned our product range with the future of passenger car mobility and today we see ourselves ideally positioned for stable trends such as the software-defined vehicle and the electrification of the driveline.”