AS A German automotive component supplier, ZF's most famous product in recent years has been its six-speed automatic transmission. The technology has been carried into its second generation, as experienced in the facelifted 6-series featured last week.

But transmission is hardly the only thing that ZF is involved in. On the motorsports front, it has been supplying the clutch and suspension components to the Formula BMW cars, as well as developing specific components for a number of Formula One teams. It has announced its partnership with Team BMW Sauber for next year's season.

Closer to the mass consumer, ZF has been working on a series of leading-edge technologies. Already enjoying much success is its constant damping technology, which is seen in some production cars.

In the near future, expect to see the appearance of ZF's eight-speed automatic transmission, a feat currently seen only in the Lexus. Also in the pipeline are new developments in axle technology that are designed to further enhance both driving pleasure and safety.

ZF's role as a components supplier means that many of its products are often used in new cars without it ever getting mentioned. Not that it matters much. All it wants - and what we really appreciate - is that they make the cars better.