For four years, Volvo India has exclusively installed automatic transmissions of the ZF Ecomat type in its city buses. The economical 6-speed automatic transmission convinced the vehicle manufacturer particularly through its superior reliability. Especially in public transport reduced downtimes are a highly important factor, that is quickly communicated: For this reason, Volvo is providing transport authorities in Bangalore, Chennai, and Pune with city buses of the B7R type by 2010. ZF Ecomat transmissions installed in these buses will provide reliable, economical, and comfortable drive solutions. All in all, Volvo, currently the only foreign bus manufacturer in the country, will use more than 700 vehicles for transport service in India’s metropolises and all of them are equipped with ZF Ecomat transmissions.
India’s local public transport is about to face a real paradigm shift: By pursuing the objectives put forward by the Jawaharlal Nehru National Urban Renewal Mission (JNNURM), the emerging nation aims at significantly improving the quality of life in Indian metropolises, such as Delhi, Mumbai, and Kolkata. To this end, a modernized local public transport system shell make its contribution. Buses equipped with ZF Ecomat are most suitable.
The 6-speed automatic transmissions are already in service in numerous European metropolises where they offer both a high degree of driver and passenger comfort and high fuel economy at the same time. International fuel consumption tests confirm: By combining the transmission with TopoDyn, the intelligent shift strategy which was specifically developed for the Ecomat transmission, fuel consumption reductions of up to 19 percent are possible – compared to Ecomat transmissions without TopoDyn. TopoDyn is a software which collects information on the route’s topographic profile during travel and, in relation to this specific profile, selects the most economical shift strategy.
ZF Ecomat was specially designed for applications in city buses. With the high number of setting-off processes, city traffic is characterized by high fuel consumption. This does not apply to the Ecomat: By closing the torque converter lock-up clutch shortly after starting, the transmission saves additional fuel and provides better riding/driving comfort at the same time. Moreover, the integrated retarder allows wear-free braking which considerably reduces life cycle costs.
Not only ZF driveline technology that is used in India, but also ZF chassis technology has convinced Indian transport authorities. For this reason, more than 2,000 front axles of the RL 85 A type are installed in buses by Tata Motors, one of the largest bus manufacturers in India. Another 400 will be delivered before the end of 2009. Other Indian manufacturers have also filed inquiries.
