Touchtronic is a manual shift function of automatic transmissions for Aston Martin cars . This is an option first applied to the DB7 Vantage model presented at the 1999 Geneva Motor Show. The fourth generation of the system, Touchtronic IV, was presented in 2019.
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How Touchtronic works
The Touchtronic system is used in standard automatic transmissions equipped with a hydraulic torque converter and planetary gear sets. A special firmware prevents automatic shifting of the gearbox when manual mode is activated. This mode can be activated using buttons on the center console or using paddle shifters. Shifting to a higher or lower gear is done using the shift paddles.
The technical characteristics of transmissions with Touchtronic function
| <Index | Transmission Manufacturer | Touchtronic Generation | Year of manufacture | Number of gears | Max. Displacement, l | Max. Torque, Nm | Type of drive | Car models equipped with this type of gearbox |
| 5HP30 | ZF | I | 1999 | 5 | 6.0 | 560 | Rear Wheel | Aston Martin DB7 Vantage |
| 6HP28 | ZF | II | 2003 | 6 | 6,7 | 620 | Front, rear, 4WD | Aston Martin DBS; Aston Martin Rapide; Aston Martin DB9 |
| 8HP90 | ZF | III | 2012 | 8 | 8.0 | 1000 | Front wheel, rear wheel, all-wheel drive | Aston Martin DBS; Aston Martin DB11; Aston Martin Rapide S; Aston Martin Vanqiush S |
| 725.0 (NAG3) | Mercedes-Benz | IV | 2019 | 9 | 6,7 | 1000 | Rear, 4WD | Aston Martin DBS; Aston Martin Vantage |
Frequent defects in gearboxes with Touchtronic function
| Defects | Transmission |
| The clutch drum fails prematurely. | ZF 5HP30; ZF 6HP28 |
| The hydraulic torque converter's bushings and friction plates wear out, which is accompanied by vibrations in the gearbox. | ZF 6HP28 |
| Worn bushings lead to a drop in oil pressure in the system and premature wear of the mechanical components of the gearbox. | ZF 8HP90 |
| Dirty solenoid valves cause jerking when shifting the transmission. | ZF 6HP28 |
| Oil leaks occur due to damaged oil seals. | ZF 6HP28 |
| The plastic oil pan of the transmission deforms, which can also lead to leaks. | ZF 6HP28 |
| The mechatronic unit can burn out in hot weather. | ZF 6HP28; ZF 8HP90 |
| When driving in traffic jams, errors occur when shifting gears. | 725.0 (NAG3) |