I was looking at the NAIAS and there seems to be a real push toward these new variable ratio transmissions. Both Volkswagen and Nissan had designs there that are already out in the market.

There's nothing really new about the concept. They've been around since the 1930s, but they've never been reliable. That is, until the development of recent alloys that make them almost as reliable as current automatics.

The advantages are huge. You get a car that is always in gear with a perfect gear ratio at all speeds. You save gas in spades, and there's no clunk. I'm concerned that efforts by Ford and GM to produce 6-speed automatics may already be outdated. A VRT would be a great asset to GM's lineup.

Just a thought.

 

There are better known as CVT--continously variable transmissions.

GM had them in the Ion and Vue for a year or so.
Honda had one back in the 90's

These things seem to be fads and do not last long.

The problem is twofold:

Consumers have a hard time accepting them--they do not feel like a normal automatic.

And the reliability you mentioned.

Don't worry 6 speed automatics are very current and will be around for a long time.

 

1. They don't seem to be able to hold much power.
2. They don't feel as fast as a normal gear. With a gear, you can feel the power increase. You are increasing your rate of acceleration. If you use the max power level at all times, you will not feel as though you are accelerating.

 

Arent they heavy?

 

Ford has had them in the Five Hundred, Escape Hybrid, and Freestyle for a couple of years.

As it is now, I don't see the benefit. They don't get better mileage, the performance isn't any better, and they are more expensive.

I guess its a good place to start from a R&D standpoint, but they aren't there yet.

 

The concept is good, but the current ones we have are plauged with too many flaws too "catch" on without revisions.