dcn@ihuxl.UUCP (Dave Newkirk) (02/02/84)
The Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) is currently being tested in Europe by Ford and Fiat, and GM is readying manufacturing facilities. The CVT is limited in torque-transmitting capability, so they are being applied to small economy cars that did not offer automatic transmissions. Tests with Fiat's CVT-equipped Uno showed equal gas mileage to the 5-speed version, and similar performance: Test CVT 5-speed --------- ----- ------- Top speed 100 103 0-62 mph 12.7 11.5 0-1 km 35.0 33.8 25 mph+ 33.0 36.5 (mid-range acceleration test) The CVT concept is so old that it's in the public domain (earlier patents were in 1897 and 1933). It's the steel belt developed by Van Doorne that is required for a CVT that will last more than a 100 miles. GM wants to buy the belts, but Ford and Fiat might purchase the license to manufacture it from Van Doorne. Dave Newkirk, ihnp4!ihuxl!dcn