Zf Friedrichshafen · 2000–2014
ZF 6HP26 transmission
6HP is ZF Friedrichshafen AG's trademark name for its 6-speed automatic transmission models (6-speed transmission with Hydraulic converter and Planetary gearsets) for longitudinal engine applications, designed and built by ZF's subsidiary in Saarbrücken. It uses the Lepelletier planetary gearset, an epicyclic gearset, which can provide more gear ratios with significantly fewer components. This means the 6HP 26 is actually lighter than its five-speed 5HP predecessors. The 6HP is the first transmission to use the Lepelletier planetary gearset. The Ford 6R, GM 6L and Aisin AWTF-80 SC transmissions are all based on the same globally patented Lepelletier planetary gearset. The AWTF-80 SC is the only one for transverse engine installation.
Text from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0).
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Key data
== History == Released as the 6HP 26 in 2000, it was the first 6-speed automatic transmission in a production passenger car. Other variations of the first generation 6HP in addition to the 6HP 26, were 6HP19, and 6HP 32 having lower and higher torque capacity, respectively. In 2007, the second generation of the 6HP series was introduced, with models 6HP 21 and 6HP 28. A 6HP 34 was planned, but never went into production. The last 6HP automatic transmission was produced by the Saarbrücken plant in March 2014 after 7,050,232 units were produced. The ZF plant in Shanghai continued to produce the 6HP for the Chinese market.
Planetary gearset concept
=== Improved fuel economy === The main objective in replacing the predecessor model was to improve vehicle fuel economy with extra speeds and a wider gear span to allow the engine speed level to be lowered (downspeeding), which is a decisive factor in improving energy efficiency and thus reducing fuel consumption. In addition, the lower engine speed level improves the noise-vibration-harshness comfort and the exterior noise is reduced. It has a torque converter lock-up for all 6 forward gears, which can be fully disengage when stationary, largely closing the fuel efficiency gap between vehicles with automatic and manual transmissions. Reduced manufacturing complexity. In order to avoid a further increase in manufacturing complexity while expanding the number of gear ratios, ZF switched from the conventional design method—in which the planetary gearset concept was limited to a purely serial or in-line power flow—to a more modern design method that utilizes a planetary gearset concept with combined parallel and serial power flow. This was only possible thanks to computer-aided design and has resulted in a globally patented gearset concept. The resulting progress is reflected in a better ratio of the number of gears to the number of components used compared to existing layouts. The 8HP has become the new reference standard (benchmark) for automatic transmissions. Quality. The ratios of the 6 gears are evenly distributed in all versions. Exceptions are the large step from 1st to 2nd gear and the almost geometric steps from 3rd to 4th to 5th gear. They cannot be eliminated without affecting all other gears. As the large step is shifted due to the large span to a lower speed range than with conventional gearboxes, it is less significant. As the gear steps are smaller overall
Imperfections
Problems with this transmission are well known. This transmission locks up the torque converter in all gears, increasing wear. Combined with a sealed transmission pan and "lifetime fluid", some people have experienced catastrophic transmission failure. Owners report shift issues when oil begins breaking down beyond 50K miles, hence shifting issues are common. There are also problems with the valve block and solenoids. When this failure starts to occur, shift quality and speed, torque transfer and even loss of ability to engage gears can occur. These problems led Volkswagen Group to extend the warranty on all of their vehicles equipped with this transmission to 100,000 miles or 10 years.
Sections adapted from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0); text is shortened. Read the full article for the complete history and citations.
Specifications
- name
- 6HP
- Production
- 2000–2014
- Model years
- 2000–2014
- Manufacturer
- ZF Friedrichshafen
- Class
- 6-Speed longitudinal automatic transmission
- Predecessor
- ZF 5HP
- Successor
- ZF 8HP
- Related
- Lepelletier planetary gearset, Ford 6R, GM 6L, Aisin AWTF-80 SC, MB 7G-Tronic
- Kerb weight
- 72-99 kg
Specification summary from Wikipedia (CC BY-SA 4.0). Check the linked sources for citations.
More photos
Sources
- Wikidata — https://www.wikidata.org/wiki/Q8063080CC0 1.0 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Wikipedia — https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/ZF_6HP_transmissionCC BY-SA 4.0 · Text © Wikipedia contributors; revision 1375488240 · retrieved 2026-10-01
- Car Model Index — https://models.autoculturesociety.com/Compiled record. Sources that do not permit reuse are not copied; this index is credited instead.