You know, they are starting to put the same kind of transmission in some cars. I know a couple of Audi models have it, and I recently read about the new Nissan Murano having one as well. I'm interested to know what driving a car with a CVT is like.

Brandon
2005 TN'G Low Boy 150
2005 Kymco Bet & Win 250

The CVT was invented by Hub van Doorne, founder of DAF, a Dutch automobile manufacturer, I believe it was in the 1950's. Its first commercial use was in thousands of DAF 33, 44, 55 cars and some other models. The DAF automobile was known for being a very attractive car for "old people" and people who have trouble with gearsticks and clutches for whatever reason. Just a brake and a gas pedal, and only P, D and R on the shifter. It worked better in European cars than the automatic transmissions of the day because old model automatics didn't play well with little engines.

A really cool side-effect of having a CVT: It goes as fast in reverse as it does forward (same transmission), so the Dutch actually have reverse DAF races, where the contestants have to navigate by looking over their shoulder the whole way.

As far as driving a car with a CVT is concerned, you beat almost any car through the intersection when the light turns green! It has a very smooth feel to it as you magically speed up while the motor never changes its hum. DAF cars came with a restrictor that could be engaged by the driver when going downhill.

Over the years there have been many cars with CVT's, I believe Daihatsu or another small Japanese car maker has a model, and Volvo (its Dutch division) makes or at least used to make CVT cars.

Edit: bumped by denis...

Bert

The main problem with the CVT (until recently) has been a serious problem with transmitting much torque. The van Doorne system is indeed very similar to the type used in most scooters, but there are quite a few other types, some of which predate the van Doorne system by several decades. All of them had torque problems until Williams-Renault produced a CVT drive for an Formula One car in the mid 90s (producing something north of 900hp), but the technology was banned before it could be raced, because the car was so fast. Audi found the solution with a chain-like driver rather than a belt, and they claim it can operate up to 250ft/lbs of torque, which is very good indeed, and may be based on the Williams design, to some extent.

As noted, an internal combustion engine of a given displacement can be tuned to make a great deal of power over a very narrow range of engine speeds, or it can be tuned to make less power over a broader range. A CVT allows a wide range of road speeds with a narrow range of engine speeds, so you can get much more power out of a smaller engine and retain good drivability. This also gives much better fuel economy for a given amount of power.

The Prius uses a CVT of a very different design to the van Doorne system, using an electronically controlled plantary geartrain.

I had a Mini-Cooper years ago, a 1962, but I don't remember a CVT option? I do remember that it was faster than those weird little DAF Daffodils, though. And it had 10" wheels just like my scooter does. Seriously, I think the CVT concept is great and we'll be seeing lots more of them in the future. Someday my grandkids will be asking me what a "stickshift" was? I hope I'm retired from the auto mechanics business before I have to start replacing CVT belts on Hummers, though.

I'm pretty sure that the original Mini did not offer a CVT.
I think that they were all 4-speeds.

I think the Honda Insight hybrid has one now, as did a few slightly older older Civics (95, 96, 97?)

You're right, tha original mini didn't have a CVT. I never saw one with the auto, either, but I think it was the same unit used in the larger MG1100. I seem to remember that there was something unusual, at least at the time, about the auto gearbox, but can't remember what? A buddy bought a wrecked MG1100 to use the motor in his Mini; afterward we cut the car into pieces with a torch and took it to the scrapyard in a big Ford pickup. I remember the hydraulic fluid shooting about 100 feet in the air when we cut thru the lines connecting the front and rear suspension units. Ah, to be young and stupid again (as opposed to just stupid)

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