Murano with CVT

[louiegz]

I own a Q and I usually post in that forum, but I was curious about the fact that the Murano will have a CVT transmission now. I've always been intrigued by the fast that you have unlimited gear ratios between the 1st and the last ratios, but I've always been concerned with the durability of the CVT. I went to the Nissan web site to do a little more research on this and I noticed that the SE model has Six-speed manual mode CVT. I wonder how that works. So it would be 6 virtual gears that you can pick? That must be cool. Does anyone here have a new Murano with a CVT? How do you like it? Does anyone think the CVT will make it into the FX?

[simplyryan]

I just purchased an '06 SL AWD for my Fiance. The CVT is amazing. I think this is the future of transmissions (even though they've been around, we haven't seen them in larger applications). There's no gear hunting (Translation: instant accell/torque) and the accelleration is as smooth as you would imagine. Yes, the triptronic version uses virtual gears programmed into the computer. But in the automatic version, those seeking high rev accelleration will be dissapointed, because the RPMs raise and stick, while the transmission does the work. Truly an amazing auto.

[AZhitman]

Ryan, welcome aboard!

Eager to hear more about the 06 Murano (maybe a feature article)?

Good to have you here...

[louiegz]

(even though they've been around, we haven't seen them in larger applications).

Well, that was the original problem that you couldn't use it in a high powered application. The first time I remember seeing it was in the late 80's when they put in a Suburu Justy. I think that must have had only 80hp. What would be cool is when they use this for luxury cars where you don't want to feel the shift.

[simplyryan]

Yep, and Honda had them in their old Civics. But I think you're right, this transmission is perfect for luxury applications. In fact, Audi uses a comprable CVT in thier 2wheel drive models. And the A4 (with a beer bellied passenger or two) weighs just as much as a Murano.

[elwesso]

but never seeing the redline, ahh what a travesty!!!!!

Would make for a great 1/4 mile car, though......

[simplyryan]

I have to tell you guys! - another advantage of the Murano CVT. This is amazing. I just finished a road trip where I was traveling between 60 - 90 mph. I averaged 28.2 mpg. I was noticing while I was driving (using the real-time fuel monitoring system) that at high speeds the transmission adjusts itself to where a little gas goes a long way. In otherwords, where most cars would be capped out in 4th or 5th gear at high speeds, the CVT can stay at comfortable RPMs. So at those speeds, I was covering a lot of ground with very little fuel. Therefore, the old stats that 55mph is the optimum speed for fuel efficiency doesn't fall true for the CVT, it gets better gas milage the faster the cruising speed. Oh, and this road trip was a 4hr drive over a mountain pass raising 3,500 feet in elevation. No BS.

[Black95s14]

Not sure but I think the murano has always had the CVT, since the first day it was introduced

[elwesso]

Not sure but I think the murano has always had the CVT, since the first day it was introduced