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