Many can finally breath a sigh of relief as the much anticipated ZF 8HP will finally become available in Hemi powered vehicles (SRT8′s included) this coming February of 2013.  Production is scheduled to begin on February 6th – but we are unsure at this point if the Hemi + 8-speed units, which are reported to be the 700nm (or 516 lb-ft)  capable are going to be built there, or imported from Germany directly from ZF.  This scenario could be the one as production begins in February in Kokomo for the 450nm capable units currently found in use behind the 3.6L Pentastar vehicles.  Or if they will begin building the ZF8HP45 and ZF8HP70 at the same time in February.

Either way, expect a significant boost in acceleration times AND fuel mileage when the highly advanced 8-speed units get behind the 5.7L and 6.4L Hemis.

We aren’t sure if this will speed in an early 2014 model year, as they’ll be doing with the Grand Cherokee, or if they will just continue as 2013′s until the normal change over scheduled for summer 2013, which will also include the 7″ in-dash TFT sceen, facelifts, new wheels and other new features as seen here in our 2014 preview