ZF AS Tronic explained

ZF AS Tronic is an automated manual transmission made by ZF Friedrichshafen for the motorcoach and lorry market in Europe and North America which was first introduced in 2003.^{[1] [2]} As a part of manual transmission, it lacks the torque converter that is standard on automatic transmissions-an AS Tronic has been quoted as being 500 pounds less than the B500. Some coach operators are choosing this transmission for better fuel economy over automatics.

This transmission is offered as 6-speed (called AS Tronic Lite by ZF), 10-speed^[3] 12-speed or 16-speed transmission.

Notes and References

1. Web site: ZF's AS Tronic Transmission Moves into High Gear. BusMag. 11 July 2012. dead. https://web.archive.org/web/20120610083716/http://www.busmag.com/PDF/ASTronic.pdf. 10 June 2012.
2. Web site: Terberg and ZF launch ZF AS-Tronic MID in Terminal Tractor. Terberg Benschop. 11 July 2012.
3. Web site: Test Driving the J4500 and ZF AS Tronic Transmission . BusMag . 11 July 2012 . dead . https://web.archive.org/web/20080517202327/http://www.busmag.com/PDF/J4500.pdf . May 17, 2008 .