What cars use ZF transmissions?
The 8HP family: the backbone of modern automatics
Representative models and brands that commonly use the 8HP
- BMW: Widely used across modern sedans and SUVs, including popular 3 Series, 5 Series, X3, X5, X1, and related variants.
- Audi: Featured in several mid- and full-size cars and crossovers, such as the A4, A6, Q5, and Q7 families.
- Jaguar Land Rover: Powers Range Rover, Range Rover Sport, Discovery, Evoque, and Jaguar sedans/SUVs like the XE/XF/F-Pace line.
- Alfa Romeo and Maserati: Used in models such as the Giulia, Stelvio, Ghibli, and Quattroporte, delivering refined, responsive shifts.
The 9HP transmission: expanding front-wheel-drive and cross-brand use
Where you’re likely to encounter the 9HP
- FCA/Jeep and related brands: The 9HP has been used in select FCA platforms, providing a balance of efficiency and performance for certain crossovers and sedans in those lineups.
- Other brands and markets: Over time, ZF has supplied 9HP configurations to various models and regional offerings, particularly where front-wheel-drive layouts are common. Availability can vary by year and region.
How to verify if your car uses a ZF transmission
In practice, many consumers will encounter ZF transmissions in European luxury brands (BMW, Audi, Jaguar Land Rover, Alfa Romeo, Maserati) and certain FCA/Jeep products, with the 8HP being the dominant workhorse and the 9HP appearing in select front-drive architectures.
Summary: ZF’s 8HP is the workhorse behind many premium brands, while the 9HP appears in a smaller, front-wheel-drive–oriented subset of models. Always verify the exact transmission for a given model-year and market to know which unit is in your car.
What brands are under ZF?
Leveraging extensive experience and specialized knowledge, ZF Aftermarket provides innovative solutions through our trusted brands ZF, LEMFÖRDER, SACHS, TRW, WABCO and BOGE that maximize uptime - boosting productivity, reducing waste, and driving business performance.
Is ZF better than dsg?
DSG gearboxes suit drivers who value fast response and sharper performance, though they need more regular servicing. Traditional automatics, such as the ZF 8-speed, are often preferred for long-term reliability, smoother driving and ease in heavy traffic.
Which car brands use ZF transmissions?
Manufacturers from Aston Martin, Chevrolet, Alfa Romeo, Dodge, Ford and BMW all rely on ZF transmissions to function. You would never think there was anything in common with a Ford F-150 and Rolls Royce – but they both often contain a ZF gearbox.
What cars have a ZF6 transmission?
ZF's 6-speed transmissions have been used in a wide variety of vehicles, from performance BMWs and high-end luxury cars like Aston Martin and Maserati to heavy-duty trucks from Ford and Chevrolet. The specific models depend on whether the transmission is a manual or automatic and the particular generation or series, such as the ZF6HP26 automatic or the ZF S6-650 manual.
Automatic transmissions (e.g., 6HP26)
- BMW: Various models, including the E60, E70, E90, and certain 6 and 7 Series cars
- Jaguar: XK8 and XKR, as well as the XF and other models
- Ford/Lincoln: Used in some Falcon and Territory models, as well as in certain Lincoln vehicles
- Land Rover: Used in Range Rovers
- Maserati: Quattroporte
- Rolls-Royce: Phantom Drophead Coupé
Manual transmissions (e.g., S6-650)
- Ford: F-250, F-350, F-450, and F-550 Super Duty trucks, available with both diesel and gas engines depending on the model year
- Chevrolet/GMC: Silverado 2500HD and 3500 heavy-duty pickups
Other 6-speed models
- BMW: The S6-37 was used in models like the 120i E87 and 330i E90, while the S6-53 has been used in modern performance cars like the M2, M3, and M4
- Aston Martin: DBS V12, Rapide, and Vanquish
- Alfa Romeo: Giulia Quadrifoglio
- Chevrolet Corvette: Early models with the S6-40
