| Although hybrid cars are the rage, and there are | | | | its superior acceleration. |
| all kinds of alternative energy sources on the | | | | You may be wondering why this isn't in every car |
| horizon, hybrids are cost prohibitive, usually ranging | | | | if it is so great. Well, every year, more vehicles in |
| $3000 to $7000 more than the gas only version | | | | the American market add CVTs as an option, |
| of that model. However, instead of changing fuel | | | | though it has happened quietly, as many people |
| sources, some automotive companies have been | | | | are leery of new technology, especially in cars. |
| using a new type of transmission to improve fuel | | | | The CVT is actually quite old although it is new to |
| economy, lower emissions, and actually make | | | | American automobiles. The concept was |
| vehicles faster without adding to the sticker price. | | | | developed by Leonardo DaVinci and was first |
| These companies are using a continuously variable | | | | patented in the late 1800's for industrial |
| transmission (CVT) and instead of having set gear | | | | applications. The CVT has been used in Asian and |
| ratios (or gears), it constantly varies the gear | | | | European vehicles since the 1950's, but until |
| ratios, as well as engine performance, so that | | | | recently CVTs could not handle the power that |
| they both operate at their most efficient level in | | | | American drivers demand from their cars. |
| any driving scenario. | | | | However, CVTs have seen widespread use in |
| Because these key components of the power | | | | snowmobiles and Formula 500 racing where they |
| train are at their peak performance at all times, | | | | have a reputation for extending engine life and |
| fuel economy is improved by 6-8% and carbon | | | | being much easier to rebuild than either a manual |
| dioxide emissions are reduced by 10%. | | | | or automatic step transmission. |
| Although these figures may not sound impressive, | | | | So where can you test drive a CVT-equipped |
| the gas savings increase the highway mileage of | | | | vehicle? Well you can go to dealerships selling |
| most vehicles by 4 to 6 mpg, which adds up | | | | Ford, Dodge, Audi, or Mini-Cooper, to name a few, |
| pretty quickly at $3/gallon. | | | | although a Nissan dealership may be the best |
| The CVT's potential for reducing emissions is also | | | | place to go. In order to hit their goal of one million |
| significant. As Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motor | | | | CVT sales in 2007, they have installed CVTs in |
| Company, said, achieving his goal of selling one | | | | nearly every sedan in their lineup, including the |
| million CVT equipped vehicles by the end of 2007 | | | | best selling Altima, Maxima, and economical Versa |
| will have "the same effect in terms of reducing | | | | (as a side note, Nissan has also made side curtain |
| CO2 emissions as selling 200,000 hybrid electric | | | | airbags standard in these models, improving |
| vehicles." | | | | safety and reducing insurance costs). |
| Since there is no shifting between fixed gears, | | | | Although you may not have the budget for a |
| there is no 'shift shock' or jerking sensation, which | | | | hybrid vehicle or cannot wait for that miracle fuel |
| makes them exceptionally smooth to drive. CVTs | | | | to hit the market, you can take it easy on the |
| also do well in hilly terrain since there is no 'gear | | | | environment, as well as your checkbook, by |
| hunting' or bogging down on a hill, followed by a | | | | checking out a few cars with a CVT. |
| loud, violent downshift, which also contributes to | | | | |