Subaru developing CVT for all models

Mr Kleen · Post by **Mr Kleen** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:09 am

Subaru developing CVT for all models

from Autoblog posting

CVT transmissions definitely aren't new, but high gas prices have thrust the once unreliable continuously variable trannies back into the powertrain equation. Chrysler uses the CVT in a few of its products, Mitsubishi added the tranny to the new Lancer, and Nissan has begun using the CVT in the Altima and Sentra, among others. According to a Japanese business rag, Subaru is planning to add the gearless transmission into every model they make by 2010. The first Subie to mate a boxer engine to the CVT is rumored to be the updated 2009 Legacy, and a 2.0L diesel with a CVT may follow shortly there after. While the CVT will be available with every model, we're assuming (and hoping) that manual transmissions will be offered as well.

CVTs are usually a bit quicker off the line than automatics, but in our experience fuel economy savings are a mix bag. While the Sentra's MPG improved with the CVT, in the 2006 Ford Five Hundred, the FWD CVT version got two less MPG on the highway than the auto-equipped SEL model. As far as the driving experience goes, CVTs take a little getting used to since the transmissions keep the engine in the optimal rev range at all times and the transmission feels like it's slipping, but most drivers may never notice the difference.

Post by **complacent** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:31 am

I really need to check out a CVT at some point. I understand the concept and how they "work", I've just never been in one before. I wanna see how it feels.

chicken n waffles · Post by **chicken n waffles** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 11:34 am

i've driven a car with cvt.

i'll stick to rowing through gears on my own, thank you.

Post by **Sabre** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:00 pm

I drove a Civic with a CVT.... it was definitely a weird experience. I'll be very curious if they put one on the STI.... CVT's are not known to be able to handle gobs of torque well...

snaab · Post by **snaab** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 12:01 pm

complacent wrote:I really need to check out a CVT at some point. I understand the concept and how they "work", I've just never been in one before. I wanna see how it feels.

I rode in a Saturn Vue equipped with CVT. It was bizarre. Like they say, it feels like the transmission is slipping, because the needle just stays pegged at a given RPM. From what I understand though, CVTs as a whole have a torque threshold and for that reason, I think they would only work on the NA Subaru models... but I may be wrong.

zaxrex · Post by **zaxrex** » Thu Jul 19, 2007 7:10 pm

I like the Freestyle's CVT. FWTW.

Post by **ElZorro** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:14 pm

complacent wrote:I really need to check out a CVT at some point. I understand the concept and how they "work", I've just never been in one before. I wanna see how it feels.

You never got a ride in the Civic Hybrid?

Yea, it is a weird feeling, at about 25mph you lean forward just a hair to compensate for the shift, and then nothing happens... The thing I found was that it isn't as quick as it should be to transition from 'optimized fuel economy rpm range' to 'optimized power rpm range', so when you stomp on it (yea, I know, Civic Hybrid and stomp on it don't go together), the lag is excessive for the 'shift', and then you wait for the squirrels to do their job.

Post by **ElZorro** » Tue Jul 24, 2007 1:19 pm

Sabre wrote:CVT's are not known to be able to handle gobs of torque well...

http://auto.howstuffworks.com/cvt.htm

The problem is that most of the CVT transmissions depend on a belt to transfer power, and all of them have some sort of dependence on friction to transfer power from the engine to the drive shaft... if the engine is too powerful and you ask too much then friction gives up, and worst case the belt breaks.