Locking an automatic in a single gear?

[MazdaMatt]

Okay, i'm not really sure if the limiting factor of these things is torque or power, so that may make or break the CVT argument.

I look at Ben's car videos and I see a car that has to either choose to be in the right gear to take off at a reasonable rate, OR go fast. A CVT gives you both.

I'd be willing to bet that just like a Diesel-hydraulic system has a "peak efficiency rpm" explaining their efficiency gains, you will find that any electric motor also has a peak efficiency RPM. Most likely it is a "medium pace" (ie, low-rpm causes high currents, high rpm requires higher voltage [i'm no expert, that's just want i see in the small motors i work with as a computer engineer])

Ben... here's an idea... take your car to a dyno shop! See if you can somehow also plot amperage against the torque&power vs rpm curve!

[metromizer]

hey Ben, checking the SF Craig's List lately has produced several leads for 5spd 3 cylinder Metros for $900-$1300 (no rust California cars). I'd lbe ooking at something like that, even if it meant a road trip.

It seems less expensive gas brough the prices down by 40% out here.