Anyone seen/driven a Chevrolet Spark yet? Geo Metro 2.0 ?

[Arragonis]

Some still use belts, some use steel belts which are much stronger than they used to be.



The CVT used in this version of the Nissan Micra



used a kind of magnetic powder clutch instead of a Torque Converter.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by Miller88

CVTs still have torque converters right? I remember people were complaining that the Ford Five Hundred CVT didn't have a lock up torque converter.

Many CVTs still have a dry clutch instead of a torque converter. Well, altough I like the greater dependability of a torque converter, I should recognise a dry clutch still generates less parasitic losses.

[danwat1234]

I think the clutch is just used until the vehicle gets going a few MPH then it is a direct connection. There is no torque converter that is used when driving even if you floor it. Otherwise CVTs wouldn't be much more efficient than slush boxes.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Torque converters are also more expensive to manufacture. So, a centrifugal clutch makes more sense.

[niky]

Torque converters nowadays have very low lock-up points. Since the electronics can tell whether you're in first or fifth, they can either let the torque converter free-wheel up to its lock-up speed or lock it at a very low rpm (around 1,5000 rpm in cars I've driven with the electronic lock-up and manu-matic mode).

The nice thing about a TC over a dual-clutch or a dry-clutch CVT is that the transmission fluid itself bears the brunt of the shock-loads when shifting. And you're throwing that out, anyway, every xx,xxx miles. A dual-clutch system with the dry clutch will eventually need clutch pack replacement, no matter how gently you drive it.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by niky

The nice thing about a TC over a dual-clutch or a dry-clutch CVT is that the transmission fluid itself bears the brunt of the shock-loads when shifting. And you're throwing that out, anyway, every xx,xxx miles. A dual-clutch system with the dry clutch will eventually need clutch pack replacement, no matter how gently you drive it.

Remove the transmission (or the engine) to replace a clutch pack is the major downside.

[sendler]

What is the life of a computer controlled dual clutch? 200,000? Much longer and with less loss than a CVT belt.

[niky]

If you've got a defective one... immediately. Many people have no problems, some have to replace them a couple of times within the warranty period.

Originally Posted by cRiPpLe_rOoStEr

Remove the transmission (or the engine) to replace a clutch pack is the major downside.

Same with a regular manual. A little more complex, but not hugely so.

[cRiPpLe_rOoStEr]

Originally Posted by niky

A little more complex, but not hugely so.

No wonder they've been increasing popularity.

[Miller88]

Did Nissan change their CVT design? I drove a 2011 Versa a while back and it felt like it was an Automatic transmission that was on it's last legs. Revs would randomly spike to 4000RPM going 55MPH and it felt like a dieining automatic transmission taking off from a stoplight.

I drove a 2013 Sentra and it seems to not be as rubber-bandy feeling. It also feels like the engine is connected to the wheels in a lot more substantial way than the Versa. It acts a lot like a manual with a clutch up taking off, then the revs just stay the same. Doesn't seem to be as rubber band-y feeling as the 2011