Holden V8 Models to get ZF Eight-Speed Auto Option – report

Hard as it may seem to believe, it’s been the better part of a decade since Holden built a Commodore powered by a V8 engine.

But despite the age, Holdens and their HSV counterparts remain some of the most popular vehicles on the road – and now one US-based company is looking to modernise them, by developing an eight-speed automatic transmission from ZF to suit.

Arguably made famous for its widespread use in BMW’s line-up – delivering smooth and lightning-quick gear changes – ZF’s ‘8HP’ transmission has now been used extensively across the automotive industry, fitted to everything from the GWM Tank 300 to the Dodge Charger SRT Hellcat, to models from Bentley and Rolls-Royce.

Seemingly overnight, ZF demonstrated it was possible to produce a torque-converter automatic transmission that was just as quick as dual-clutch automatic transmissions, but with far improved low-speed operation and no regular – and expensive – scheduled services.

Now, according to US publication Hagerty, a company called BluePrint Engines is on a mission to mate the ZF ‘8HP’ to General Motors’ ‘LS3’ V8.

Using an ex-law enforcement Chevrolet Caprice PPV – a rebadged Holden WM Caprice – as the test bed, BluePrint is working directly with German transmission giant ZF to bring the transmission to the aftermarket.

{{AD}}

‍

However, according to the report, BluePrint founder Norris Marshall approached ZF several times about the project – finally getting the company on board after presenting to executives in person.

BluePrint, which builds ‘crate motors’ based on popular V8 engines from Ford, Chrysler/Dodge/Ram, and GM, has offered complete powertrain packages to its customers, with the choice of manual or four-speed automatic transmissions – but it hopes to be the first to offer ‘LS3’-based V8s complete with the ZF eight-speed automatic.

The final Australian-made Holden VFII Commodore SS made 304kW and 570Nm from the 6.2-litre ‘LS3’ V8, with buyers given the option of a six-speed Tremec manual or a six-speed torque-converter automatic from GM.

Out of the box, the ‘8HP 70’ from ZF is said to be able to handle torque loads of up to 700Nm.

The company still has some fine-tuning before the ZF is finished, but it hopes the transmission will be ready for the aftermarket SEMA 2025 exhibition in Las Vegas this November.