I like the concept behind the CVT transmission. Do you guys think this will be the way of the future? And how is it that Ford is the pioneer with this concept?

 

In smaller cars, yes. In the current CVT form, it really doesn't work well in larger cars. I have even heard that Ford is looking to abandon the CVT in the 500 because people are uncomfortable with the "lack of shifting" feeling - It gives the perception that the car is slower than it really is.

For smaller, more fuel efficent cars, it a great idea.

Once the system can handle more torque than it can today, it may be more viable in bigger cars, but with the advent of 7-speed autos, do we need CVTs?

Only engineers can tell.

Walter Keegan
www.autoblog.com
www.cheersandgears.com

 

I was thinking the same thing concerning torque.
They'll have to work out the bugs, and like the rotary engine, might get a bad rap at first, but I think it'll be the way of the future.

 

1. The CVT might already be "the way of the past." Audi will continue with the CVT in non-Quattro cars (for now!), but transverse engined VW/Audi products will feature the twin-clutch DSG (Direct Shift Gearbox) - a BorgWarner product that's also known as "Dualtronic." It's also interesting to note that GM has given up on the Fiat-built CVT that used to be available on the Saturn Ion and Vue.

2. Ford didn't pioneer the CVT concept, they were actually late to the party. The CVT was first introduced in Europe by DAF (now a part of Volvo) and many years later Subaru had the first CVT in the United State. The ZF unit that Ford is using was first used by Audi years ago, so Ford is pretty much behind the game.

 

I own a CVT in a Saturn VUE..........

They should not have pushed it off as an "automatic" tranny but as a "Hybrid" type tranny. I have 48,000 miles on mine and it is still going. All I can say that in the 03 VUE there is too much CVT whine in the cabin of the car. It tends to wierd people out hearing the noise of the tranny.

"Hey when's it going to shift?"

"It doesn't"

"Wind it up let her go.........."

Roger D

 

How many Suburu Justy's are still out there with that trans? I agree, its good for low power high economy cars. Unless some high dollar research goes into it.

 

That makes me think...if it was so great, I think Europe would have mass produced them first. They're very focused on fuel efficiency. Thats not as much a problem in the US but over here warranty concerns hit manufacturers in the profits, which is their main concern. Its just so much cheaper to keep dumping regular autos out there.

I guess in hind sight and after reading the good replies in this thread, its the same as with gas efficiency: manufacturers know what they CAN do, but they only do what is the most profitable...especially the American three.

 

I'm surprised Redzed didn't mention this. At the moment the Nissan Murano's only trans option is a CVT. Which is mated to their 3.5L 240hp (not sure on tq, but its around 240ft/lb) and seems to do just fine. I've driven a few as a Nissan tech and its a bit wierd at first, but I didn't have any problems adjusting to it.

Its pretty cool if you accel slowly, you can get the car to speed up, but the revs stay planted just over idle.

 

There are Muranos out there that have already racked up 50,000 miles without any transmission concerns, so I guess that Nissan's CVT concept is sound. Still, I really believe the CVT is technological dead end. Anyway, my theory is that Nissan gave the Murano a "wierd transmission" because they though it would be in keeping with the "wierd styling."