Subarus to Get CVT Transmissions

Megan Benoit
by Megan Benoit

Winding Road reports that Subaru will begin fitting the Legacy with a CVT (Continuously Variable Transmission) in 2009, and all other models shortly thereafter. Given the poor reviews and slow sales of these "stepless" transmissions, the news is something of a shock. Ford recently abandoned the CVT in its quest to turn the Five Hundred into the Taurus. The Blue Oval Boyz and other mass market manufacturers are also busy gearing-up to install DSG (double sequential gearbox) or similar into their future products. Given the unlimited fun of a paddle-shift DSG gearbox vs. the whiny sloth of a CVT, it's hard to imagine many existing or potential Subaru drivers would trade spirited performance for an extra mile per gallon. [Note to Subaru: no one drives a Subaru for the gas mileage; they drive them in SPITE of the gas mileage.]

Megan Benoit
Megan Benoit

I'm a computer security geek raised in Nebraska and recently transplanted to Atlanta. I like me some cars, got into car geekery a few years ago and haven't looked back since. I also volunteer at a local ferret shelter and participate in various charity and fund-raising events related to that.

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  • Ricky Spanish Ricky Spanish on Jul 20, 2007

    of course nothing beats a traditional manual

  • Acd Acd on Jul 20, 2007

    A CVT disqualifies any car from my shopping list regardless of its other attributes.

  • Benders Benders on Jul 20, 2007

    The 335i has twin turbos which means smaller turbos. It also only runs about 8.5 lbs of boost, about half of what a WRX runs. Smaller turbos plus less boost means less lag and better performance at low RPM. And the Mazdaspeed6 is a FWD car that only goes to AWD when a front wheel spins. Max torque split is something like 90-10 front to rear. carguy, there are no mechanical changes to the WRX this year; expect a new transmission in 2 years. And who buys a WRX with an auto anyway?

  • Redbarchetta Redbarchetta on Jul 20, 2007

    Subaru's current auto's are power sucking leaches as long as the CVT isn't the same it is garanteed to be a success. Doesn't matter a Subaru and auto trannies are an oxymoron to me much like a Porsche or Ferrari with an auto would be. I prefer to row myself through the gears.

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