ZF 9HP transmission

ZF 9HP
Overview
ManufacturerZF Friedrichshafen
Production2013–present
AssemblyGray Court, South Carolina, United States
Body and chassis
Class9-speed transverse automatic transmission
RelatedAisin-Toyota 8-speed · ZF 8HP
Chronology
PredecessorZF 4HP

9HP is the trademark name for the ZF Friedrichshafen 9-speed automatic transmission models (9-speed transmission with Hydraulic converter and Planetary gearsets) for transverse engine applications, designed by ZF's subsidiary in Saarbrücken and built in Gray Court, South Carolina.[1] It is used in front-wheel drive and all-wheel drive vehicles.

The 9HP is the world's first 9-speed automatic transmission for passenger cars. Land Rover and Jeep launched it at the 2013 Geneva Motor Show.[2] The 2014 Jeep Cherokee then was the first car with this transmission delivered to customers.

Key Data

Gear Ratios[a]
Model First
Deliv-
ery
Gear Total Span Avg.
Step
Components Nomenclature
R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 Nomi-
nal
Effec-
tive
Cen-
ter
Total per
Gear[b]
Gears
Count
Cou-
pling
Gear-
sets
Maximum Input Torque
9HP 28
9HP 48
2013 −3.805 4.700 2.842 1.909 1.382 1.000 0.808 0.699 0.580 0.479 9.808 7.940 1.501 1.330 Gearsets
3 Brakes
3 Clutches
1.111 9[b] H[c] P[d] 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft)[e]
450 N⋅m (332 lb⋅ft)[f]
480 N⋅m (354 lb⋅ft)[g]
  1. ^ Differences in gear ratios have a measurable, direct impact on vehicle dynamics, performance, waste emissions as well as fuel mileage
  2. ^ a b Forward gears only
  3. ^ Hydraulic torque converter· German: Hydraulischer Wandler oder Drehmomentwandler
  4. ^ Planetary gearing · German: Planetenradsätze
  5. ^ for both gasoline and diesel[1]
  6. ^ for gasoline[1]
  7. ^ for diesel[1]

Specifications

Combined Parallel and Serial Coupled Gearset Concept For More Gears And Improved Cost-Effectiveness

Gearset Concept: Cost-Effectiveness[a]
With
Assessment
Output:
Gear
Ratios
Innovation
Elasticity[b]
Δ Output : Δ Input
Input: Main Components
Total Gearsets Brakes Clutches
9HP
Ref. Object

Topic[b]



Δ Number
Relative Δ Δ Output

Δ Input
9HP
4HP[c]
9[d]
4[d]
Progress[b] 10
7
4
2[e]
3
2
3
3
Δ Number 5 3 2 1 0
Relative Δ 1.250
2.917[b]
0.429
1.000
0.500
0.000
9HP
Aisin[f]
9[d]
4[d]
Progress[b] 10
8
4
3[g]
3
2
3
3
Δ Number 3 2 1 1 0
Relative Δ 0.500
2.000[b]
0.250
0.333
0.333
0.000
9HP
8HP[h]
9[d]
8[d]
Current
Market Position[b]
10
9
4
4
3
2
3
3
Δ Number 1 1 0 1 0
Relative Δ 0.125
1.125[b]
0.111
0.000
0.500
0.000
W9A
3-Speed[i]
9[d]
3[d]
Historical
Market Position[b]
10
7
4
2
3
3
3
2
Δ Number 6 3 2 0 1
Relative Δ 2.000
4.667[b]
0.429
1.000
0.000
0.500
  1. ^ Progress increases cost-effectiveness and is reflected in the ratio of forward gears to main components.
    It depends on the power flow:
    • parallel: using the two degrees of freedom of planetary gearsets
      • to increase the number of gears
      • with unchanged number of components
    • serial: in-line combined planetary gearsets without using the two degrees of freedom
      • to increase the number of gears
      • a corresponding increase in the number of components is unavoidable
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j Innovation Elasticity Classifies Progress And Market Position
    • Automobile manufacturers drive forward technical developments primarily in order to remain competitive or to achieve or defend technological leadership. This technical progress has therefore always been subject to economic constraints
    • Only innovations whose relative additional benefit is greater than the relative additional resource input, i.e. whose economic elasticity is greater than 1, are considered for realization
    • The required innovation elasticity of an automobile manufacturer depends on its expected return on investment. The basic assumption that the relative additional benefit must be at least twice as high as the relative additional resource input helps with orientation
      • negative, if the output increases and the input decreases, is perfect
      • 2 or above is good
      • 1 or above is acceptable (red)
      • below this is unsatisfactory (bold)
  3. ^ Direct Predecessor
    • To reflect the progress of the specific model change
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h plus 1 reverse gear
  5. ^ combined as a compound Ravigneaux gearset
  6. ^ Market Predecessor
  7. ^ of which two gearstets are combined as a compound Ravigneaux gearset
  8. ^ Current Reference Standard (Benchmark)
    • The 8HP has become the new reference standard (benchmark) for automatic transmissions. Although designed for longitudinal installation, it is nevertheless the industry standard.
  9. ^ Historical Reference Standard (Benchmark)
    • 3-speed transmissions with torque converters have established the modern market for automatic transmissions and thus made it possible in the first place, as this design proved to be a particularly successful compromise between cost and performance
    • It became the archetype and dominated the world market for around 3 decades, setting the standard for automatic transmissions. It was only when fuel consumption became the focus of interest that this design reached its limits, which is why it has now completely disappeared from the market
    • What has remained is the orientation that it offers as a reference standard (point of reference, benchmark) for this market for determining progressiveness and thus the market position of all other, later designs
    • All transmission variants consist of 7 main components
    • Typical examples are

Gearset Concept: Quality

The 9HP is only 0.24 inches (6 mm) longer than, and weighs 16.5 lbs (7.5 kg) less than, the outgoing six-speed transmission. The compact packaging is achieved by using a number of innovative design features: a new compact hydraulic vane-type pump, two patented dog clutches,[3] which replace bulkier conventional clutch packs, and a nested gear set.[2] ZF claims that it is able to save an average of 16% in fuel compared with current 6-speed automatic transmissions.[1]

Gear Ratio Analysis[a]
In-Depth Analysis[b]
With Assessment
And Torque Ratio[c]
And Efficiency Calculation[d]
Planetary Gearset: Teeth[e] Count Nomi-
nal[f]
Effec-
tive[g]
Cen-
ter[h]
Avg.[i]
Model
Type
Version
First Delivery · Weight
S4[j]
R4[k]
S3[l]
R3[m]
S2[n]
R2[o]
S1[p]
R1[q]
Brakes
Clutches
Ratio
Span
Gear
Step[r]
Gear R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Gear
Ratio[b]
[b] [b] [b] [b] [b] [b] [b] [b] [b] [b]
Step[r] [s] [t]
Δ Step[u][v]
Shaft
Speed
Δ Shaft
Speed[w]
Torque
Ratio[c]
[c] [c] [c] [c] [c] [c] [c] [c] [c] [c]
Efficiency
[d]
[d] [d] [d] [d] [d] [d] [d] [d] [d] [d]
9HP 28
9HP 48
280 Nm[x] · 2013 · 78 kg (172 lb)
450 Nm[y] · 2013 · 86 kg (190 lb)
480 Nm[z] · 2013 · 86 kg (190 lb)
42
110
42
110
91[aa]
133
42
86
3[ab]
3[ac]
9.8085
7.9402
[g][s]
1.5007
1.3303[r]
Gear R 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9
Gear
Ratio[b]
−3.8049
[s][g]
4.7001
2.8419
1.9094
1.3818[v]
1.0000
0.8081[w]
0.6995
[v][w]
0.5802[v]
0.4792
Step 0.8095[s] 1.0000 1.6538 1.4884 1.3818 1.3818 1.2375 1.1553 1.2056 1.2107
Δ Step[u] 1.1112 1.0771 1.0000[v] 1.1167 1.0711 0.9583[v] 0.9958[v]
Speed -1.2353 1.0000 1.6538 2.4615 3.4014 4.7001 5.5816 6.7197 8.1015 9.8085
Δ Speed 1.2353 1.0000 0.6538 0.8077 0.9399 1.2987 1.1161[w] 0.9035[w] 1.3818 1.7066
Torque
Ratio[c]
-3.5391
–3.4099
4.5931
4.5402
2.7922
2.7675
1.8884
1.8779
1.3742
1.3704
1.0000 0.8005
0.7966
0.6904
0.6857
0.5717
0.5673
0.4653
0.4582
Efficiency
[d]
0.9302
0.8962
0.9772
0.9660
0.9825
0.9738
0.9890
0.9835
0.9945
0.9917
1.0000 0.9906
0.9857
0.9870
0.9803
0.9854
0.9779
0.9710
0.9561
Actuated Shift Elements[ad]
Brake A[ae]
Brake C[af]
Brake D[ag]
Clutch B[ah]
Clutch E[ai]
Clutch F[aj]
Geometric Ratios: Speed Conversion
Gear
Ratio[b]
R & 1
Ordinary[ak]
Elementary
Noted[al]
Gear
Ratio[b]
2 & 3
Ordinary[ak]
Elementary
Noted[al]
Gear
Ratio[b]
5–7
Ordinary[ak]
Elementary
Noted[al]
Gear
Ratio[b]
4 & 8 & 9
Ordinary[ak]
Elementary
Noted[al]
Kinetic Ratios: Torque Conversion
Torque
Ratio[c]
R & 1
Torque
Ratio[c]
2 & 3
Torque
Ratio[c]
5–7
Torque
Ratio[c]
4 & 8 & 9
  1. ^ Revised 14 January 2026
    Nomenclature
    • sun gear: number of teeth
    • ring gear: number of teeth
    • carrier or planetary gear carrier (not needed)
    • sun gear: shaft speed
    • ring gear: shaft speed
    • carrier or planetary gear carrier: shaft speed
    With gear is
    • gear ratio or transmission ratio
    • shaft speed shaft 1: input (turbine) shaft
    • shaft speed shaft 2: output shaft
    • torque shaft 1: input (turbine) shaft
    • torque shaft 2: output shaft
    • torque ratio or torque conversion ratio
    • efficiency
    • stationary gear ratio
    • (assumed) stationary gear efficiency
  2. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Gear Ratio (Transmission Ratio)
    — Speed Conversion —
    • The gear ratio is the ratio of
      • input shaft speed
      • to output shaft speed
    • and therefore corresponds to the reciprocal of the shaft speeds
  3. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m n o p q Torque Ratio (Torque Conversion Ratio)
    — Torque Conversion —
    • The torque ratio is the ratio of
      • output torque
      • to input torque
      • minus efficiency losses
    • and therefore corresponds (apart from the efficiency losses) to the reciprocal of the shaft speeds too
      • whereby may vary from gear to gear according to the formulas listed in this table and
  4. ^ a b c d e f g h i j k l m Efficiency
    • The efficiency is calculated
      • from the torque ratio
      • in relation to the gear ratio (transmission ratio)
    • Power loss for single meshing gears
      • is in the range of 1 % to 1.5 %
      • helical gear pairs, which are used to reduce noise in passenger cars, are in the upper part of the loss range
      • spur gear pairs, which are limited to commercial vehicles due to their poorer noise comfort, are in the lower part of the loss range
    Corridor for torque ratio and efficiency
    • in planetary gearsets, the stationary gear ratio is formed via the planetary gears and thus by two meshes
    • for reasons of simplification, the efficiency for both meshes together is commonly specified there
    • the efficiencies specified here are based on assumed efficiencies for the stationary ratio
      • of (upper value)
      • and (lower value)
    • for both interventions together
    • The corresponding efficiency
      • for single-meshing gear pairs is
      • at (upper value)
      • and (lower value)
  5. ^ Layout
    • Input and output are on the same side
    • Planetary gearset 4 is on the input (turbine) side
    • Input shafts are, if actuated, S1, R1 + S3, and C3 + R4
    • Output shaft is C4
  6. ^ Total Ratio Span (Total Gear/Transmission Ratio) Nominal
    • A wider span enables the
      • downspeeding when driving outside the city limits
      • increase the climbing ability
        • when driving over mountain passes or off-road
        • or when towing a trailer
  7. ^ a b c Total Ratio Span (Total Gear Ratio/Total Transmission Ratio) Effective
    • The span is only effective to the extent that
      • the reverse gear ratio
      • matches that of 1st gear
    • see also Standard R:1
    Digression
    Reverse gear
    • is usually longer than 1st gear
    • the effective span is therefore of central importance for describing the suitability of a transmission
    • because in these cases, the nominal spread conveys a misleading picture
    • which is only unproblematic for vehicles with high specific power
    Market participants
    • Manufacturers naturally have no interest in specifying the effective span
    • Users have not yet formulated the practical benefits that the effective span has for them
    • The effective span has not yet played a role in research and teaching
    Contrary to its significance
    • the effective span has therefore not yet been able to establish itself
      • either in theory
      • or in practice.
    End of digression
  8. ^ Ratio Span's Center
    • The center indicates the speed level of the transmission
    • Together with the final drive ratio
    • it gives the shaft speed level of the vehicle
  9. ^ Average Gear Step
    • There are gear steps between gears
    • with decreasing step width
      • the gears connect better to each other
      • shifting comfort increases
  10. ^ Sun 4: sun gear of gearset 4
  11. ^ Ring 4: ring gear of gearset 4
  12. ^ Sun 3: sun gear of gearset 3
  13. ^ Ring 3: ring gear of gearset 3
  14. ^ Sun 2: sun gear of gearset 2
  15. ^ Ring 2: ring gear of gearset 2
  16. ^ Sun 1: sun gear of gearset 1
  17. ^ Ring 1: ring gear of gearset 1
  18. ^ a b c Standard 50:50
    — 50 % Is Above And 50 % Is Below The Average Gear Step —
    • With steadily decreasing gear steps (yellow highlighted line Step)
    • and a particularly large step from 1st to 2nd gear
      • the lower half of the gear steps (between the small gears; rounded down, here the first 4) is always larger
      • and the upper half of the gear steps (between the large gears; rounded up, here the last 4) is always smaller
    • than the average gear step (cell highlighted yellow two rows above on the far right)
    • lower half: smaller gear steps are a waste of possible ratios (red bold)
    • upper half: larger gear steps are unsatisfactory (red bold)
  19. ^ a b c d Standard R:1
    — Reverse And 1st Gear Have The Same Ratio —
    • The ideal reverse gear has the same transmission ratio as 1st gear
      • no impairment when maneuvering
      • especially when towing a trailer
      • a torque converter can only partially compensate for this deficiency
    • Plus 11.11 % minus 10 % compared to 1st gear is good
    • Plus 25 % minus 20 % is acceptable (red)
    • Above this is unsatisfactory (bold)
    • see also Total Ratio Span (Total Gear/Transmission Ratio) Effective
  20. ^ Standard 1:2
    — Gear Step 1st To 2nd Gear As Small As Possible —
    • With continuously decreasing gear steps (yellow marked line Step)
    • the largest gear step is the one from 1st to 2nd gear, which
      • for a good speed connection and
      • a smooth gear shift
    • must be as small as possible
      • A gear ratio of up to 1.6667 : 1 (5 : 3) is good
      • Up to 1.7500 : 1 (7 : 4) is acceptable (red)
      • Above is unsatisfactory (bold)
  21. ^ a b From large to small gears (from right to left)
  22. ^ a b c d e f g Standard STEP
    — From Large To Small Gears: Steady And Progressive Increase In Gear Steps —
    • Gear steps should
      • increase: Δ Step (first green highlighted line Δ Step) is always greater than 1
      • As progressive as possible: Δ Step is always greater than the previous step
    • Not progressively increasing is acceptable (red)
    • Not increasing is unsatisfactory (bold)
  23. ^ a b c d e Standard SPEED
    — From Small To Large Gears: Steady Increase In Shaft Speed Difference —
    • Shaft speed differences should
      • increase: Δ Shaft Speed (second line marked in green Δ (Shaft) Speed) is always greater than the previous one
    • 1 difference smaller than the previous one is acceptable (red)
    • 2 consecutive ones are a waste of possible ratios (bold)
  24. ^ 280 N⋅m (207 lb⋅ft) for both gasoline and diesel[1]
  25. ^ 450 N⋅m (332 lb⋅ft) for gasoline[1]
  26. ^ 480 N⋅m (354 lb⋅ft) for diesel[1]
  27. ^ 91/133 or 104/152
  28. ^ Thereof 1 dog break[3]
  29. ^ Thereof 1 dog clutch[3]
  30. ^ Permanently coupled elements
    • C1, C2, and R3
    • S3 and S4
    • C3 and R4
  31. ^ Dog brake blocks S3 and S4
  32. ^ Blocks S1
  33. ^ Blocks R2
  34. ^ Couples S1 with input (turbine)
  35. ^ Couples C3 and R4 with input (turbine)
  36. ^ Dog clutch couples R1 and S2 with input (turbine)
  37. ^ a b c d Ordinary Noted
    • For direct determination of the gear ratio
  38. ^ a b c d Elementary Noted
    • Alternative representation for determining the transmission ratio
    • Contains only operands
      • With ordinary fractions of both central gears of a planetary gearset
      • Or with the value 1
    • As a basis
      • For reliable
      • And traceable
    • Determination of the torque conversion rate and efficiency

How It Works

An Animated Drive Line Schematic & A Rotational Speeds Nomogram

These ordinates are positioned on the abscissa in strict accordance with the proportions of the sun gears' teeth numbers relative to those of their rings. Consequently, the output ratios on the ordinate C4 (carrier of planetary gearset 4) follows closely to those of the actual transmission. Note that elements A and F are labelled swapped (cf. legend below).

Nomogram

▶️ Interactive Nomogram Archived 2017-02-02 at the Wayback Machine

This interactive nomogram is a real geometric calculator exactly representing the rotational speeds of the transmission's 3x4 = 12 internal shafts for each of its 9 ratios (+ reverse), grouped according to their 5 permanent coupling on 4 joint ordinates and 3 independent ordinates. These ordinates are positioned on the abscissa in strict accordance with the proportions of the sun gears' teeth numbers relative to those of their rings. Consequently, the output ratios on the 6th ordinate (carrier of the fourth planetary gearset) follows closely those of the actual transmission. This advantageous geometric construction sets us free from Robert Willis' famous and tedious formula,[4] because all calculations are exclusively determined by lengths ratios, respectively teeth numbers on the abscissa for the 4 epicyclic ratios, and of rotational speeds on the 6th ordinate for the 10 gear ratios.

Legend

A: Dog brake (blocks S3 and S4)
C: Brake (blocks S1)
D: Brake (blocks R2)
B: Clutch (couples S1 with input shaft)
E: Clutch (couples C3 and R4 with input shaft)
F: Dog clutch (couples R1 and S2 with input shaft)

Applications

Acura

  • TLX (2015–2020, V6 models)
  • MDX (2016–2020, non-hybrid models)

Alfa Romeo

Chrysler

Dodge

  • Hornet (2023–2025, 2.0L turbo engine)

FIAT

MG

Opel/Vauxhall

Honda

  • CR-V[5] (2015–2022, diesel engine)
  • Pilot (2016–2020 optional, 2021–2022 standard on all trims)
  • Avancier/UR-V (2016–, 2.0L turbo engine)
  • Odyssey (2018–2019 standard, 10-speed automatic optional)
  • Passport (2019–2025)
  • Ridgeline (2020–)
  • Civic (2018–2022, diesel engine)

Infiniti

Jeep

Ram Trucks

Land Rover

Jaguar

Nissan

Technical imperfections

The transmission has been problematic, as customers of Jeep, Chrysler, and Acura models equipped with the transmission have experienced problems in their vehicles regarding slow shifting and noisy operation. ZF has said this is due to software problems, not mechanical issues.[8]

Chrysler issued Technical Service Bulletins (TSB) for the 2014 Jeep Cherokee to "fix rough and delayed gearshifts", and Acura has issued transmission-related recalls for the 2015 Acura TLX.[9][10]

Production

Production of the 9HP started in 2013 at ZF's Gray Court facility in Laurens, South Carolina. 400,000 units are produced per year.[11]

Production of the 9HP for Fiat and Chrysler vehicles began in May 2013 at Indiana Transmission Plant I (ITPI), followed by Tipton Transmission Plant in Tipton County, Indiana in May 2014.[12]

See also

References

  1. ^ a b c d e f g h "ZF Develops 9-Speed Automatic Transmission for Passenger Cars".
  2. ^ a b c "Land Rover uses the 9-speed automatic transmission by ZF". Archived from the original on 2013-03-07. Retrieved 2013-02-27.
  3. ^ a b c ZF’s 9-Speed 9HP Transmission Puts Dog Clutches On The Leash
  4. ^ Robert Willis (1841). "Principles of mechanism" (PDF). Retrieved 2024-11-04.
  5. ^ "HONDA British-built CR-V refreshed for 2015". Archived from the original on 2014-12-10. Retrieved 2014-12-01.
  6. ^ "World Premiere in Geneva: Land Rover installs the world's first 9-speed automatic passenger car transmission from ZF".
  7. ^ "2022 Nissan Pathfinder Adds New Features and Ditches the CVT". 4 February 2021.
  8. ^ "Holy Shift ZF 9 Speed Automatic Problems Mount Chrysler Releases Third Software Update for Jeep Cherokee". 4 February 2015.
  9. ^ "Short Shirt Jeep Cherokee 9 Speed Automatic Gets Second Update for Rough Shifting". Archived from the original on 2015-03-23. Retrieved 2015-03-28.
  10. ^ "Acura TLX Shifting Problems".
  11. ^ "Spotted: ZF testing the 9HP Hybrid transmission". Archived from the original on 2012-06-11. Retrieved 2012-05-31.
  12. ^ Chrysler Group Dedicates New Plant and Launches Nine-Speed Production in Tipton, Ind.