By Colin Wood
Feb 21, 2020
Yes, that Williams tested the use of a continuously variable transmission—the bane of many automotive enthusiasts—back in 1993. As crazy as it may sound today, their logic was sound: the CVT could keep the engine in its peak power band while minimizing inertial changes normally associated with a more conventional gearbox.
2/18/20 12:48 p.m.
I had a 1985 Polaris 250cc 4-wheeler with a CVT in it that lasted 30 years before it finally tanked and it was impossible to find parts for to fix. Not sure why it's deemed to be such new/novel idea. I did hate that 4-wheeler as a kid for the exact reason of not being able to hear it shift through gears :(. On an F1 of that era it's pretty cool.
2/18/20 1:15 p.m.
CVTs don't break any more than any other automatic transmission. To me most of their bad reputation is because they aren't as familiar as the more conventional auto transmissions. Yes, they are weaker...but that doesn't matter for factory applications...they are also about 100 times simpler to rebuild. I wouldn't want a car with a CVT transmission....just like I don't want a car with any automatic transmission...they are all garbage that will fail much sooner than a manual transmission....good for consistency...but bad for me.
2/18/20 3:10 p.m.
I'm also not entirely opposed to CVTs. In fact, most of my issues with it are just in how it's done. The thing about peak power is definitely possible. My old 340hp Lexus GS450h accelerated more like a 380-400hp car because it DID just sit at peak power, whereas most 340hp cars are only 340hp for a few hundred rpm and then drop to probably 270 after every shift. The closest things in weight and power to it were Hemi chryslers. It was faster than a regular 340-370hp Hemi car and only slightly slower than a 425hp 6.1 car. Doing the cvt action with an electric motor and a planetary gearset is almost bombproof and gives you torque fill at the bottom of the range where most CVTs suck.
The lowest ratio the CVTs can hit is usually one of my biggest problems with them. CVTs are only variable within a range, and usually the lowest ratio they can achieve isn't low enough in my opinion. There's also the issue of start clutches and how i sort of hate them. Now manufacturers are finally getting around these problems by hooking the CVT in series with 2-spd gearboxes, and giving them a torque converter. All stuff which addresses my dislikes.. but still isn't as good as a Toyota hybrid 'e-cvt'. If Lexus would do with the LC what they did with the old LS600hl and put the hybrid trans behind their wonderful 5.0l V8, it would become a dream car for me.
2/18/20 3:35 p.m.
And just a few years ago many on this board, including myself harped on automatics. But, some of us have come around. Heck, when searching for my NC, I specifically wanted the automatic.
2/18/20 6:41 p.m.
Challenges with cvt that mave made it new and more recent have to do with power capacity. Rubber belts on snowmobile and 4 wheeler applications are ok, but putting 200+hp and expecting it to last 100,000miles...
New automotive one use metal belts that are like a stack of coins and operate on compression rather than tension like the rubber belts. There were still teething pains, Nissan had a lot of challenges with warranty rates.
I have a f500 that I have been autocrossing, I understand that many hate the sound, but it's actually fantastic to drive.
2/18/20 6:55 p.m.
In reply to DirtyBird222 :
DAF had it in a small sedan back in 1958.
2/18/20 6:59 p.m.
As an ex-Nissan service advisor, I beg to differ.
2/21/20 10:58 a.m.
In 95 the Honda Ferio VI-RS came out with a cvt.
The only experience I have with them is on scooters where they work really well. Loaded weight is what 400lbs if that.
4000lbs vehicles, I will let bigdaddylee82 speak on the track record for those :P
2/21/20 11:02 a.m.
CVTs that are not in Nissans don't break any more than any other automatic transmission, then.
In Mopars and Subarus, they just work. Change the yummy expensive fluid every 60k and they are fine.
The only time I had issues with one was a Patriot that someone had put ATF in, and the trans didn't like that. I changed the fluid twice with the correct fluid and it was fine.
2/21/20 11:07 a.m.
The Nissan thing is overheating IIRC. But a vacation loaded Rogue chugging up the grapevine is going to generate a lot more heat than a 2500 pound civic with a 1.5 no torque wonder. If they fitted a big ole cooler the Nissan cvt would have a better rep
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