GM Considering CVTs In Daewoo-Developed Cars
Published: November 29th, 2010
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AutoWeek reports:
GM doesn’t use [Continuously Variable Transmissions] now. But they could be used on models such as the Chevrolet Spark, Aveo and Cruze in the next three years, said Mike Arcamone, CEO of GM Daewoo Auto & Technology.
GM will have to improve the mileage on these models by at least 10 percent by the next full-model change, said Sohn Dongyoun, vice president of engineering at GM’s global small- and minicar development team at GM Daewoo. CVTs offer an easy, quick fix, he said. Nissan has (in my eyes) refined its CVT to the point where it can be downright eager in applications like the Juke, but GM’s track record with the the CVT is less well-proven. GM hasn’t offered the transmission since dropping it as an option from the Saturn Ion coupe and Vue and the Opel Astra in 1995. And Daewoo’s CVT would have to be incredibly good to erase fears left from the previous experience, in which GM paid Saturn owners over $100m in settlements for transmission failure. Sohn’s line about CVTs being a “easy, quick fix” should ring a few alarm bells somewhere in the RenCen.
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My Prius uses an Electrically Controlled Variable Transmission (ECVT) that is different than a conventional Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). There are no pulley and belt arrangements to wear out or need adjustment. The Prius uses a planetary gear system that couples the drive motor and engine resulting in a smooth power curve from full stop to full speed.
It's a clear choice for GM, chase Ford on quality and develop a good dual (dry) clutch gearbox, or join the collective race to the cheap feeling bottom by pursuing CVTs. Either route will get them those extra percentage points, but only one is guaranteed to upset a percentage of drivers concerned about driving feel. Have any of you compared CVT cars to those with modern AT's (not an old Subaru or Honda 4speed) recently? It's not a good look, especially over $30k. And yes, the Maxima is nice, but it would be a lot nicer to drive with a decent tranny. Especially in the city or on loose surfaces. If it wasn't for that detail I would easily hold it up as best in class (the CC's DSG on the other hand is just a bit too harsh, but still way better than the Nissan CVT, and makes it, with less power, way better to drive). Shame.
I think the CVT would be good in small cars. I believe the problem with the old CVTs was that the engine it was mated to was rated too high for tq for the CVT. I think the CVT would have been fine with a smaller engine. Either way, I think this would be ok for smaller cars if it can be proven to be reliable. If not, don't put them in there.
The tranny on the ancient reel mower with the 3.5 Briggs and Stratton motorvation functioned finely. Increase engine rpm and engagement of the drive wheels ensued. Increase engine rpm and the auto-device embraced the drive belt even more passionately resulting in the units' max speed over the little blades of screaming grass as their chlorophyll-laden heads were lopped off. Suburbia was happy and upper working-poor-class residents in their small bungalow-style cookie-cutter tract homes selling new for 14K bucks back in the 1960s were sated as their tidal wave of vile spawn Baby Boom progeny overfilled the local schools and the Commies were kept off the shores of California. If that tranny in all its functional magnificence operated with such minimal muss and fuss why can't the Chinese create and offer a similar unit for their auto/truck offerings? The USA consumers expect better from their manufacturing masters.