Aisin and Toyota offer various 8-speed automatic transmissions for use with both longitudinal and transverse engine vehicles, based on a common, globally patented gearset concept.

Key data

+ Gear ratios Aisin Toyota FirstDeliv-ery Gear Total Span Avg.Step Components Nomenclature R1 1 2 3 4 5 6 7 8 Nomi-nal Effec-tive Cen-ter Total perGear Instal-lation Drive GearsCount Maximum Input Torque Longitudinal engines 3Gearsets2Brakes4Clutches TL-80SN AA 80E/F 2006 A AB 8 — AB 80E/F 2015 TR-80SD AE 80E/F 2010 TR-81SD — 2010 TR-82SD — 2010 — AL 80E/F 2023 TBD Transverse engines AW F8 F45 UA 80E/F 2016 U AB 8 AW F8 F35 UB 80E/F 2016 TG-80LS UB 80E/F 2017 TBD TBD TBD TBD

History

2006: Aisin TL-80SN for longitudinal engines

The Aisin TL-80SN (Toyota AA 80E/AA 80F/AA 81E) series is the world's first 8-speed automatic transmission for passenger cars. It is designed for longitudinal engines and was first used in the 2007 model year Lexus LS 460.

2016: Aisin AW F8 for transverse engines

Beginning with the AW F8 transmission Aisin and Toyota derived a transverse engine variant by adapting this globally patented gearset concept to fit into the same space as the previous generation U6xx Lepelletier planetary gearset-based 6-speed transmissions to increase the overall ratio spread, reduce gear steps, and increase the torque capacity for transverse engine vehicles as well.

The Aisin AW F8 F45 (Toyota UA 80E/UA 80F) series is the world's first 8-speed automatic transmission designed for use in transverse engine applications. It is also called EAT8 (PSA), GA 8F 22AW (BMW/Mini), TG-81SC (Volvo), AF50-8 (Opel/Vauxhall), AW F8 F45 (Cadillac), and AQ 450 (Volkswagen Group).

Toyota

Toyota’s marketing name for the transmission is "Direct Shift – 8AT 8-speed automatic transmission". In contrast to the UB 80E/F transmission, which was developed by Aisin AW for Toyota, the UA 80E/F was developed in a joint venture between Toyota and Aisin AW and rated for . Due to its worldwide application, development was carried out in a global manner involving R&D resources in Japan and the US. The Aisin AW F8 F35 (Toyota UB 80E/F) transmissions are used for lower torque applications, such as 4-cylinder engines, and rated for .

Drivetrain

+ Drivetrain Model FinalDrive AA 80E 2.9372.852.69 AA 80F 3.133 AW F8 F35AW F8 F45 4.398 AW F8 F45 3.0753.200 AW F8 F45 2.561

Planetary gearset concept

Uniquely compact gearset design

Among all 7-, 8-, 9-, and 10-speed automatic transmissions, it is the only one that requires just three gearsets, making it so compact that it is suitable for both engine installations.

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. The Lexus IS F and LS 460 (with sport package) use Sport Direct Shift (SPDS) which allows for faster shift times. The torque converter can lockup from 2nd to 8th gears.

Reduced manufacturing complexity

In order to avoid a further increase in manufacturing complexity while expanding the number of gear ratios, Aisin 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. After gaining additional gear ratios only with additional components, this time the number of components has to decrease while the number of ratios still increase. The resulting progress is reflected in a much better ratio of the number of gears to the number of components used compared to existing layouts.

Smaller parts and a hydraulic circuit with fewer components allow the transmission to maintain the same size as the previous LS 430's 6-speed transmission. The aluminum die-cast case is 10% lighter, yet 30% more rigid, even with two additional gears and a 22% greater torque capacity. The new transmission weighs or 10% more than the previous unit. With new micro-laser technology gear tooth production tolerances have been reduced by 50%. Aluminum has also replaced steel on gear tooth surfaces. Shift times are as low as 0.35 seconds or 41% faster than the previous LS 430's unit.

Two reverse gears

The gearset concept offers two reverse gears. Due to the increasing electronic control of automatic transmissions and engines, a fast reverse gear (i.e. designed to reduce wheel spin) is no longer necessary for problem-free starting in icy conditions (winter mode). It is therefore unlikely that car manufacturers will make use of this special option of a dedicated winter mode with an additional reverse gear R2. For this reason, the representation of R2 in the tables is shaded gray throughout. In some data sheets, the gear ratio of R2 is given, presumably a careless error.

The direction is reversed in gearset 3, the outer one of the Ravigneaux gearset. In the fast reverse gear R2, this part of the Ravigneaux gearset is directly connected to the input (turbine) side. To reduce the shaft speed for an appropriate reverse gear R1, the input (turbine) is put through gearset 1 first. This reduction corresponds to the ratio of the 3rd gear. Therefore, the gear step between the two reverse gears reflects the ratio of the 3rd gear.

Quality

All 8-speed automatic transmissions from Aisin and Toyota for passenger cars are based on the same layout in both engines orientations. For transverse installation, the layout of the longitudinal installation was merely mirrored. Gearset 1 is not an ordinary one, but a reversed one. It consists of 2 pinions that mesh with each other. One of these pinions meshes with the sun gear, the other with the ring gear. As a results, the gearset generates different ratios and the sun gear rotates in the same direction as the ring gear when the planetary gear carrier is stationary. This made it possible to manage 8 speeds with 3 gearsets. As a result, the transmission is more compact than 8-speed transmissions from competitors. This means that an 8-speed automatic transmission was also possible for transverse engines.

UA 80E/F failures and problems

The UA 80E/F family of 8-speed transmissions has had some issues which led to class action lawsuits, a Customer Support Program and numerous technical service bulletins. Starting in 2017, some Highlander and Sienna customers starting complaining of harsh or delayed shifting, delayed acceleration, hesitation, jerking, unintended acceleration, lurching and excessive revving before upshifting.

Additional issues arose when 2017 and 2018 Highlander and Sienna customers experienced whining, master warning lights/check engine lights and transmission failures. This prompted Toyota to initiate a Customer Support Program (ZJC). This program covered certain 2017 and early 2018 built Highlanders and Sienna under specific VIN parameters and transmission build dates. However, this issue has been problematic beyond the scope of the ZJC program. This is causing out of pocket costs for customers outside of the standard 6 yrs./60K mls. powertrain warranty.

More whine or grind issues have been documented in 2021 Avalon, Camry and Highlanders equipped with the UA 80E/F transmission prompting T-SB-0008-21.

In December 2024, Gears Magazine published an article which has a more in depth look at some of the UA80's shortcomings. This includes a nut which retains the races that comes loose and allows the transfer gear to move. Another common issue is fluid contamination due to clutch debris from the torque converter.

Applications

+ Variants and applications Model Car Model Longitudinal engines AA 80E 2007–2017 Lexus LS 460 2008–2011 Lexus GS 460 2008–2014 Lexus IS F 2009–2013 Toyota Crown Majesta 2015–present Lexus RC F (3.133 final drive) 2016–2020 Lexus GS F (2.937 final drive) 2021–present Lexus IS 500 F Sport Performance (3.133 final drive) AA 80F Lexus LS 460 AA 81E 2014–2020 Lexus GS 350 (2.937 final drive) 2014–present Lexus IS 350 RWD (3.133 final drive) 2015–present Lexus RC 350 2013–present Toyota Crown Athlete 2013–2015 Lexus RX 350 F Sport 2016–2022 Lexus RX 350 AE 80F 2015–2021 Land Cruiser 5.7 L 2015–present Mitsubishi Pajero Sport AL 80E/F 2023–present Tacoma 2.4 L Turbo 2WD TL-80SN 2014–2019 Cadillac CTS (with a 2.85 final drive ratio) 2010–2015 Audi Q7 1st generation (type 4L) 3.0 L TFSI · 3.6 L FSI · 4.2 L FSI 2010–2015 Audi Q7 1st generation (type 4L) 3.0 L TDi 2010–2015 Audi Q7 1st generation (type 4L) 4.2 L TDi 2019–2023 Hongqi HS7 1st generationI 2023–present Hongqi HS7 2nd generation TR-80SD 2010–2017 Porsche Cayenne 2nd generation (type E2 92A) 3.0 L TFSI · 3.6 L FSI · 4.2 L FSI 2010–2018 Porsche Cayenne 2nd generation (type E2 92A) 3.0 L TDi 2010–2017 Porsche Cayenne 2nd generation (type E2 92A) 4.2 TDi · 4.8 L Turbo 2013–2017 Porsche Panamera 1st generation (type G1 970) facelift 3.0 L TDi 2010–2018 Volkswagen Touareg 2nd generation (type 7P) 3.0 L TFSI · 3.6 L FSI · 4.2 L FSI 2010–2018 Volkswagen Touareg 2nd generation (type 7P) 3.0 L TDi 2010–2015 Volkswagen Touareg 2nd generation (type 7P) 4.2 L TDi Transverse engines UA 80E/F 2018–present Toyota Avalon (non-hybrid engines) 2018–present Toyota Alphard/Vellfire 2018–present Toyota Camry (non-hybrid engines) 2017–2020 Toyota Sienna 2019–present Toyota RAV4 (non-hybrid) 2020–2022 Toyota Highlander/Grand Highlanderhttps://www.toyota.com/grgarage/grcorolla/ UC 80E/F 2024–present Toyota GR Yaris 2024–present Toyota GR Corolla UA 80E/F 2012–present Lexus RX (V6 AL10 F-Sport, AL20 & AL30 non Hybrids) 2018–present Lexus ES (non-hybrid engines) 2020–2023 Lexus LM (LM350) 2022–present Lexus NX (non-hybrid engines) 2024–present Lexus LBX (Morizo RR) UB 80E/F 2018–present Toyota Camry 2.5 2019–present Toyota RAV4 2.5 2012–2015 Lexus RX V6 F-Sport North America UB 81E/F 2016–present Lexus RX 2015–present BMW 2 Series Active Tourer (F45) and Gran Tourer (F46) with 4-cylinder engines 2016–present BMW X1 (F48) with 4-cylinder engines 2016–present Mini Clubman (F54) with 4-cylinder engines 2016–present Mini Countryman (F60) with 4-cylinder engines (and B38 with AWD) 2018–present Mini Cooper SD (F55/F56) and JCW (F56) due to torque output over 300Nm 2018–present BMW X2 (F39) with 4-cylinder engines 2019–present BMW 1 Series (F40) with 4-cylinder engines 2020–present BMW 2 Series Gran Coupé with 4-cylinder engines 2019–present Oshan COS1° GT 2019–present Changan CS85 2020–present Changan UNI-K 2021–present Changan UNI-V 2022–present Changan CS75 2023–present Chery Tiggo 9 (AWD) 2017–present Citroën C5 Aircross 2018–present Citroën Grand C4 SpaceTourer 2019–present Citroën Berlingo 2020–present Citroën C4 2021–present Citroën C5 X 2024–present Citroën Spacetourer EAT8 2018–present DS 7 2019–present DS 3 2020–present DS 9 2021–present DS 4 2023–present Exeed Lanyue 2019–present Xingyue S/ Xingyue L 2020–present Geely Xingrui 2016 Chevrolet Malibu 2017 Buick LaCrosse 2017–2019 Cadillac XT5 2018–2020 Buick Regal TourX (I4 AWD only) 2020–present Jaguar E-Pace (1.5t 3-cylinder engines) 2020–present Discovery Sport (1.5t 3-cylinder engines) 2020–present Evoque (1.5t 3-cylinder engines) 2017–present 01 2018–present 03 2020–present 05 2021–present 02 2021–present 09 2017–present Mitsubishi Eclipse Cross (diesel engines) 2019–present Mitsubishi Delica (diesel engines) 2017–present Opel Insignia 2017–present Opel Grandland X 2018–present Opel Combo 2020–present Opel Corsa 2020–present Opel Mokka