Subarus to Get CVT Transmissions
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.]
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of course nothing beats a traditional manual
A CVT disqualifies any car from my shopping list regardless of its other attributes.
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?
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.