ZF presents EcoLife CoachLine transmission system
ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division has unveiled the EcoLife CoachLine. The second generation of its proven six-speed automatic transmission is suitable for coach applications, whether operating in a city, inter-city or even on a challenging, steep mountain track. It offers outstanding passenger comfort and significant fuel savings of up to three percent.
ZF’s Commercial Vehicle Solutions (CVS) division has unveiled the EcoLife CoachLine. Fuel savings of up to three percent over the previous generation EcoLife are possible thanks to ZF EcoLife CoachLine’s innovative start/stop function which saves fuel during the entire transmission service life. The powershift transmission has an optimal gear ratio spread, from 3.36 to 0.59. This is powerfully combined with a particularly high level of mechanical efficiency, ensuring that the vehicle operates in the optimum engine speed range at all times.
Further enhancing driver comfort, effortless gear shifting has been enabled using ZF’s TopoDyn Life software controls. Using driving resistance-dependent shift controls, the program ensures the right gear is always selected as the topography changes. The hydrodynamic torque converter with standard torsional damper enables high input torques to be achieved at relatively low engine speeds. The key benefits of this include noise reduction as well as lowering fuel consumption.
ZF EcoLife CoachLine: CO2-reduction and improved TCO
An innovative, integrated primary retarder and dual cooling set-up enables the highest level of braking power to always be available – even at low speeds. The dual cooling system features a large retarder heat exchanger and an integrated transmission heat exchanger. This ensures longer retarder braking and greater retarder availability – important features given that coaches frequently operate for longer periods on steep mountain tracks and over greater distances. Effectively reducing the strain on the vehicle’s service brakes and protecting against overheating, the dual cooling system also extends oil-change intervals by up to 480,000km. Overall, the numerous improvements lead to higher energy efficiency, CO2-reduction and improved TCO.
Additionally, EcoLife CoachLine increases the digitalization of servicing and maintenance to help not simply predict breakdowns but to prevent them happening. Providing predictive maintenance and preventive service package, maintenance and repair costs are reduced, required work more easily planned and vehicle uptimes enhanced.
