In order to achieve up to a 10 percent improvement in fuel economy, General Motors is looking into consecutive variable transmissions (CVT) for their lineup of small cars such as the Chevrolet Spark (due in the U.S. in early 2012), next gen. Aveo (due out next year) and the recently-launched Cruze. The branch responsible for developing these three models is The General’s Daewoo division, located in South Korea, and they’re looking to have CVTs installed by the next model change for each vehicle.
While a boost in fuel economy would most certainly win over buyers here in the United States, one issue happens to be that General Motors does not use a CVT for any of its models. Therefore, the company would either have to develop one from scratch, or the transmissions would need to be supplied by an outside source.
Stay tuned as we learn more.
Source: egmCarTech
Comments
I’m luke-warm on CVT’s. I have it on my Suzuki Burgman 650 & it gets horrible gas mileage! Only 35mpg. My Harley-Davidson Ultra Classic Electra Glide’s fuel mileage was in the mid 40’s. I blame the bad mpg on the CVT always being near the high-end torque area which is great when you want to pass, but not so great on achieving optimum fuel mileage.
I’ve always loved manual transmissions because they add a “fun factor” to driving. I’m currently awaiting for the Spark’s arrival in 2012 & hope Chevrolet will still have the manual transmission & offer the CVT as an option.
i really never liked CVT transmissions. from the sentra to the prius, they seem to have poor power delivery and i can’t get to the constant droning noise of the engine. and yes they don’t get good gas mileage at all. it is a farce on MPG’s. however because i detest manuals, if CVT’s get flooded in the market, then i will accept it out of no choice. but if their is a car that has a 6 speed automatic, i will definitely purchase one. now if they are going to bring in CVT’s to the Cruze, then it should only be offered on the Cruze Eco model and thats it.