6HP is ZF Friedrichshafen AG's trademark name for its six-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. Released as the 6HP26 in 2000, it was the first six-speed automatic transmission in a production passenger car. Other variations of the first generation 6HP in addition to the 6HP26, were 6HP19, and 6HP32 having lower and higher torque capacity, respectively. In 2007, the second generation of the 6HP series was introduced, with models 6HP21 and 6HP28. A 6HP34 was planned, but never went into production.
The 6HP uses a Lepelletier epicyclic/planetary gearset, which can provide more gear ratios with significantly fewer components. This means the 6HP26 is actually lighter than its five-speed 5HP predecessors. It also has the capability to achieve torque converter lock-up on all six forward gears, and disengage it completely when at a standstill, dramatically closing the fuel efficiency gap between automatic and manual transmissions.
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.
Specifications
Preliminary Note
All ZF 6HP gearboxes have the same gear ratios as the 6R60 and 6R80 gearboxes for passenger cars from Ford. Deviant gear ratios indicate another manufacturer as shown in the template.
New Paradigm
The 6HP is the first transmission designed according to ZF's new paradigm. After gaining additional gear ratios only with additional components, this time the number of components has to decrease for the first time in spite of the necessity of even more ratios. Coming from 5 gear ratios made of 10 main components (gear sets, Ravigneaux considered as 2, brakes, clutches) to the 6 made of 8 now reflects, what major progress the Lepelletier gear mechanism means compared to conventional designs like the 5HP-family.
Technical data
Notes
Technical 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.
First generation
6HP19
The 6HP19 transmission was a development of the original 6HP26, but was downgraded for less demanding applications. As such, the 6HP19 is rated at of torque.
Applications
Rear-wheel drive cars: BMW X3 BMW 520i (E60) BMW 528i (E60) BMW 530i, (E60) BMW 630i, (E63) BMW 730i/li, (E65/E66) BMW 318i, 320i, 325i, 328i, 330i, 335i (E9X), pre-LCI BMW 116i, 118i, 120i (E87), pre-LCI, 135i (E82), 118d (E81) BMW Z4 E85 LCI, E86 Hyundai Genesis Coupe - 2010-2012 3.8L
6HP19A
The 6HP19A is a variation of the 6HP19 for four-wheel drive applications torque of . It was used by the Volkswagen Group for some permanent four-wheel drive models.
Applications
Audi (B6) S4 (Typ 8E/8H) Audi (B7) A4/S4 (Typ 8E/8H) VW Phaeton (Typ 3D) Audi A6 (Typ C6/4F) 3.0 TDI / 3.2 FSI / 3.0 TFSI Audi A8 (Typ D3/4E) 3.0 TDI / 3.2 FSI
6HP26
The 6HP26 was the original variation of the 6HP, released in 2000. It was rated for a maximum input torque of . It was first used by the BMW 7 Series (E65) in 2001. Initially only used by premium brands, it was later available on the 2009 model year V8 Hyundai Genesis.
Several versions of the 6HP26 are available depending on application and brand: 6HP26, 6HP26A and 6HP26X.
Applications
Ford has developed their own versions (6R60 and 6R80) based on the 6HP26. Therefore, certain Ford vehicles will not be listed.