NEW OPTIMIZATION FOR TOUGHEST CONDITIONS: ZF PRESENTS SUCCESSOR TO TOP-SELLING ECOLIFE OFFROAD TRANSMISSION

Rescue and emergency teams know: In an emergency, there is no room for maneuver. Equipment must perform reliably. This applies particularly to the vehicles. Fire trucks, ladder trucks and emergency vehicles must carry heavy equipment as well as the crew. They might need to provide assistance on the road, but also on off-road conditions – since fires and accidents occur in inaccessible areas too.

For decades, vehicle manufacturers have relied on ZF in this field. The Group's driveline technology has proven to be robust, high-performing and reliable, even under the toughest conditions. "A prime example of our expertise is the EcoLife Offroad 7-speed automatic transmission," says Bernd Kownatzki, Head of Sales & Technical Acquisition for Special Vehicle Drive Systems at ZF. "We're now writing a new chapter in its success story – for the successor is on its mark and ready to go."

Form, function, perfection: Numerous improvements
With numerous improvements, EcoLife Offroad 2 is certain to impress. For instance, the permissible motor-side torque has been increased to 3,000 Nm (over 4,000 Nm behind the integrated torque converter) and that of the two engine-dependent PTOs to 1,000 Nm. One of the most striking upgrades compared to the predecessor is a new optional interface for a directly mounted transfer case. In this way, EcoLife Offroad 2 saves valuable installation space and gives OEMs free rein to install and develop new platforms. Furthermore, the model range is now start-stop capable – which is an important function considering stricter emission regulations.

That's also the purpose of the optimized torsional damper. It ensures smoother operation, less noise due to engine vibrations, and lower target engine speeds – which, again, reduces fuel consumption. The torque converter is available in different versions for more flexibility, allowing the transmission to be optimally adapted to the characteristics of any given engine. In addition, the EcoLife Offroad 2 has a specially developed transmission stepping. Thanks to the seamless transitions, drivers won't ever have to forgo the shifting comfort ZF is famous for, even on tough terrain.

In the search for a lightweight solution, the forged converter cover carries some weight too – and quite literally so. Thanks to its optimized design, it renders the transmission four kilograms lighter. The transmission housing made of special high-performance aluminum is another novelty. It has been specially designed and tested for extreme loads in off-road operation.

Well-equipped for current and future requirements
The cooling performance has also been improved. The optimized dual cooling system – comprising a newly developed transmission oil cooler and a separate heat exchanger for the integrated retarder – cools the transmission in tough off-road use and increases braking power through the retarder in many situations. The transmission cooling circuit is now designed for higher coolant pressures in order to meet the increased requirements of state-of-the-art engines. Thus, it also satisfies the demands that come with heavier vehicles.

Tried and true, the high efficiency and power-to-weight ratio, fording capability and ZF Smart Driveline Torque Control remain unchanged. The latter intelligent transmission function detects and processes the torque generated even in more powerful engines so that the driveline is never overloaded.

Moreover, the oil level sensor, which is now installed as a standard feature, ensures greater comfort and safety as it puts an end to the tiresome fiddling around with the oil dipstick that is often difficult to use. The new transmission electronics comply with the latest legal requirements and are protected against potential cyber attacks.

"With EcoLife Offroad 2, we offer our customers the optimal transmission for a whole range of use cases. And with high flexibility at that, because our product can be adapted for any installation space thanks to a multitude of equipment and add-on variants," says Kownatzki.

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