Can CVT Transmissions Eventually Replace Conventional Automatics?

Sometimes maligned, sometimes acclaimed, the continuously variable transmission is poised to snap up more North American market share in coming years.

After a surge of interest early in the past decade, the CVT had some rocky market introductions and its use declined sharply. But now automakers, pressured by rising fuel economy requirements, are reconsidering the efficient, gearless transmission.

Still, automakers must remedy past problems -- and overcome the CVT sneer factor -- to make the transmission as acceptable as the new wave of cutting-edge automatic transmissions.

As recently as 2005, CVTs accounted for just 1 percent of the North American market, according to industry forecasting firm IHS Automotive. Two years ago, propelled by Nissan Motor Co.'s widespread use of the transmissions, CVTs shot up to 7 percent of the market. IHS now forecasts that CVT penetration will more than double to 16 percent of vehicles sold in North America in 2015.

DuDE - 7/30/2012 12:38:52 PM

+2 Boost

At first, there was no transmission...then came two speeds, and three..and four..eventually ended up with eight. Recent news suggest automakers readying 9 speeds and 10 speeds.
It is expensive to put more cogs into a transmission and eventually automakers will adopt CVTs and program them tho act like a regular transmission(a la NISSAN)

carsmart - 7/30/2012 1:17:59 PM

+4 Boost

far superior to regular transmission..no shifting..always in the right "gear"

Holydude - 7/30/2012 3:43:10 PM

+1 Boost

What are the cons then?

Car4Life - 7/30/2012 4:23:25 PM

0 Boost

ughhhh long been a fan of the Maxima until the CVT, its going to take some real getting used to for me...until then I will stick with the perfect 7 gears in Benz

vdiv - 7/30/2012 4:51:41 PM

+1 Boost

Being a fan of EVs I consider any transmission to be a relic of the past. For the petrol engine enthusiast however nothing could replace the manual gear box. In my view VWs DSG 6-gear box with 8 millisecond upshifts is the best solution, an absolute pleasure to drive. Anything over 6 or 7 gears is ridiculous.