The LSG 300 transmission has been developed as a private venture by ZF and was announced for the first time in 1994. It has been designed for front end installation in lightweight tracked vehicles, weighing up to a maximum of 5,000 kg with a maximum engine output of 100kW(135hp).

The ZF LSG 300 has been developed to work with electronic controlled engines so the engine and transmission can be operated by electronic control equipment to ensure engine/transmission management.

The first application for the ZF LSG 300 transmission is for the new German MaK Wiesel 2 Multi-Purpose Carrierwhich has been adopted by the German Army in the air defence role with STN ATLAS being the prime contractor. The current Wiesel 1 has a ZF 3 HP 22 three-speed automatic transmission.

The main advantages of the ZF LSG 300 transmission can be summarised as follows:

(a) assembly and disassembly of the complete unit is highly flexible

(b) electronic shifting of gears

(c) pivot turning capability

(d) it has a torque converter lock-up to avoid uneconomic operating range in all gears

(e) good mobility combined with ease of operation due to infinitely variable hydrostatic superimposed steering gear

(f) consistent response to steering controls irrespective of direction of travel.

In production for MaK Wiesel Multi-Purpose Carrier ordered by the German Army. The first order is for 67 platforms but additional platforms are due to be ordered in the future for additional roles such as 120 mm mortar carrier, ammunition vehicle and ambulance.