ZF’s ever-popular Ecosplit manual transmission reaches 2 million mark
ZF’s ever-popular Ecosplit manual transmission reached a new milestone recently, when the two millionth version rolled off the production line in Germany.
Launched in 1979 as a 16-speed manual, the Ecosplit has seen duty in heavy trucks such as the DAF XF, MAN TGX and Iveco’s Stralis.
More recently, a 12-speed model joined the line-up, designed for modern engines with a much wider torque band than was previously available.
Rolf Lutz, Group Executive of the ZF Commercial Vehicle and Special Driveline Technology, says the venerable Eco- transmission family includes a 9-speed Ecomid, capable of handling torque outputs of up to 1300 Newton-metres, as well as the 6-speed Ecolite for light commercials with a torque range of 500Nm-1050Nm.
“Manual transmissions of the Ecosplit family are a traditional ZF product which makes commercial vehicles more economical. And, for this reason, it is still in great demand on the market,” says Lutz.
He says annual production of the Ecosplit remains at 175,000 units, reinforcing its popularity with manufacturers.