Quote:
Originally Posted by tumnasgt
DSG transmissions are clutchless autos, and before them there were also automated manuals, which were just manuals operated by a computer (though they weren't very smooth). Honda also has a CVT with a clutch, which would fine as well.
As far as I know, there's nothing stopping car companies from having the torque converter lockup at low speeds, other than a slight added cost in having a stronger lockup clutch. In fact, I hope there is a good reason they don't do this, as otherwise they have been wasting huge amounts of gas for the sake of a little bit of extra profit.
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The Torque converter in my CVT equipped Altima locks up at 12 MPH. It will easily accelerate decently without ever passing 1500 RPM. It works more like a clutch than a torque converter. The special fluid used in the CVT helps to minimize slippage between the pulleys and the steel shoe segmented drive belt, which is all steel. They warranty the transmission for 120 k miles.
12 MPH is barely 3 to 4 car lengths from a dead stop.
regards
Mech