Nissan alters CVT to perform more like an automatic

[Kompresshun]

http://www.autoblog.com/2014/07/15/niss ... ubberband/

Among automotive enthusiasts, no one seems to hold a neutral opinion when it comes to continuously variable transmissions. CVTs are either praised for their ability to boost fuel economy or chided for their occasionally poor driving dynamics. Nissan is among the masters of these un-shifting gearboxes in the US, and it uses them in many vehicles in its lineup. However, for the 2015 model year, several models are getting a software update to make their CVTs a bit more like a conventional automatic.

To give drivers the option of feeling gearshifts while on the road, Nissan is adding its D-Step Shift Logic feature to the CVTs in multiple vehicles. Steve Powers, Nissan's senior manager of powertrain performance, told Autoblog the system forces the transmission to "hold a ratio and then shift" to simulate the way that a traditional automatic would. It's simply a change in software, but the company "can't do it to older CVTs," he said, because it would require changes to transmission logic, as well. According to Automotive News, the upgrade is coming to the 2015 Versa, Versa Note (pictured above), Sentra, V6-equipped Altima, Pathfinder and Quest. "We're rolling it out to all programs," said Powers.

So let me get this straight - Nissan has decided that they want their transmissions to preform like a traditional automatic, so rather than replacing it with an actual automatic they have decided they will just "fool" their CVT garbage to perform like one.



The CVT still sucks, even if it pretends to preform more like an automatic.

"You can polish a turd, but it's still a turd" comes to mind here.

[Bubba1]

So let me get this straight - Nissan has decided that they want their transmissions to preform like a traditional automatic, so rather than replacing it with an actual automatic they have decided they will just "fool" their CVT garbage to perform like one.

Yep, pretty much sums it up, with the added bonus of breaking down a lot more often than an actual automatic.

[Rogue One]

Not to mention the non-shifting is a selling point that is supposed to be pointed out to anyone buying one of these vehicles.

[lne937s]

I have no issues with CVT's. Typically, they accelerate faster than automatics and are often on par or slightly faster than manuals from a street start (5-60 mph, no burning up the clutch on launching). I personally want the car to stick at maximum horsepower when I floor it.

However, while average G's from acceleration tend to be higher, the engine note does not rise and fall and peak momentary G's from acceleration are not as high, creating the perception that it is slower. And it is an unfamiliar sensation. So they are doing a few tweaks, slightly sacrificing some actual acceleration for greater perceived acceleration and more familiar engine shifting. It is marketing, like the closed off grille on a Chevy Volt. They create something familiar to broaden the appeal of the product.

What Nissan really needs to do is find racing series that will accept a CVT and start lobbying more to do so. Come back with the 2-belt CVT with active torque vectoring, updating the DAF design with modern enclosed mechanicals, metal belts and computer control. Unleash the potential of the significantly faster (in testing) and subsequently banned Renault CVT Formula 1 car. Set up driver controls to maximize the potential (Max horsepower, max thermal efficiency, etc.). Find ways to make them stronger through racing... and prove their potential. Once people are used to the idea, then there will be less marketing need to make them feel like "normal" transmissions.

[Bubba1]

As info, SCCA's Formula 500 have been using CVT transmission for years. But you're talking very lightweight formula cars with 2 stroke snowmobile engines. It would not surprise me to see the auto industry continue to gravitate more toward CVT as they get developed due to their efficiencies, plus it appears the non-enthusiast segment (as in transportation appliance) car buyers just don't care. The lack of driver involvement with CVT clearly annoys us enthusiasts, but we represent a small vocal minority. And the manufacturers making CVTs behave more like a shiftable automatic transmission is very misguided attempt to somehow appease us enthusiasts to think it'll seem sporty. As Chris wisely noted, you can polish a turd, but it's still a turd.

I think a larger problem with CVT has been that auto manufacturers, particularly Nissan, have begun making a rushed wholesale conversion to CVT before completely working out all the bugs. And those premature transmission failures have left a sour taste in many a new car buyer's mouth. then think about all those used transportation appliance buyers, who don't do their research and blindly buy an attractive, older CVT equipped Nissan and have to deal with the same premature CVT failures after the warranty expired. Not pretty.

[i-break-things]

As info, SCCA's Formula 500 have been using CVT transmission for years. But you're talking very lightweight formula cars with 2 stroke snowmobile engines. It would not surprise me to see the auto industry continue to gravitate more toward CVT as they get developed due to their efficiencies, plus it appears the non-enthusiast segment (as in transportation appliance) car buyers just don't care. The lack of driver involvement with CVT clearly annoys us enthusiasts, but we represent a small vocal minority. And the manufacturers making CVTs behave more like a shiftable automatic transmission is very misguided attempt to somehow appease us enthusiasts to think it'll seem sporty. As Chris wisely noted, you can polish a turd, but it's still a turd.

I think a larger problem with CVT has been that auto manufacturers, particularly Nissan, have begun making a rushed wholesale conversion to CVT before completely working out all the bugs. And those premature transmission failures have left a sour taste in many a new car buyer's mouth. then think about all those used transportation appliance buyers, who don't do their research and blindly buy an attractive, older CVT equipped Nissan and have to deal with the same premature CVT failures after the warranty expired. Not pretty.

To appease the performance group. Hardly!!! We the the exception, we understand the CVT and how it works. The general population, NOPE! They just think it doesn't shift right. It should never shift!

In concept the CVT is great. It does allow the engine to maintain the need rpm for the desired load/throttle/designed parameter. Is that what the enthuist wants??? Add the third pedal and allow the enthuist to control the CVT manually!!!

For the drag strip mist autos will eat manuals all day long with lower ETs and more consistent times. For the uninformed, they cannot drive a stick. So, an auto is the only way they know.

Its a great idea. And Nissan isnt the only one with a CVT b

[Jesda]

Despite heavy investment, Nissan makes the worst CVTs in the industry. Reliability is less than stellar and they feel numb.

[Bubba1]

Despite heavy investment, Nissan makes the worst CVTs in the industry. Reliability is less than stellar and they feel numb.

^

[darylzero]

Despite heavy investment, Nissan makes the worst CVTs in the industry. Reliability is less than stellar and they feel numb.

Nissan owns a controlling interest in JATCO the company that actually makes the Nissan CVT.

Audi, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, and Toyota all make their own CVTs. Nissan owns a controlling interest in JATCO, the firm that supplies 49 percent of the world’s gear-free transmissions to Chrysler, GM, Mi­tsu­bishi, and Suzuki. In addition, nearly half of Nissan’s current U.S. models offer a JATCO-supplied CVT.

[Ajax]

maybe they should pull a BMW and include engine noise from the speakers. Or go 1 further and put a fake tachometer in the instrument cluster that rotates back and forth at random. I'm sure plenty of consumers don't even understand what that gauge is telling them anyway.

[jbracy7]

Don't say that out loud. Nissan will do it ajax

[lne937s]

maybe they should pull a BMW and include engine noise from the speakers. Or go 1 further and put a fake tachometer in the instrument cluster that rotates back and forth at random. I'm sure plenty of consumers don't even understand what that gauge is telling them anyway.

What about a seat that rocks back and forth like a flight simulator to create the sensation of shifts?...

But seriously, people need to get over what they think a "normal" transmission should feel like.

[Ajax]

What about a seat that rocks back and forth like a flight simulator to create the sensation of shifts?...

I want my "Indiana Jones" the Ride car on the streets instead of just Universal Studios!

[MinisterofDOOM]

...or chided for their occasionally poor driving dynamics

OCCASIONALLY POOR?! That's like saying the earth exists occasionally in space, or gravity occasionally pulls things downward.

Despite heavy investment, Nissan makes the worst CVTs in the industry. Reliability is less than stellar and they feel numb.

Nissan made the worst traditional automatics in the industry, too. The difference is that their CVTs require ultra-specifc, costly, often dealer-only service just to keep them performing at that inadequate level.

Nissan owns a controlling interest in JATCO the company that actually makes the Nissan CVT.

Nissan FOUNDED JATCO, which was originally a Nissan subsidiary. Mazda/Ford and a number of other companies have partnered with Nissan/JATCO over the years as well. They've been dependably cranking out unreliable garbage since their inception.

[Jesda]

Despite heavy investment, Nissan makes the worst CVTs in the industry. Reliability is less than stellar and they feel numb.

Nissan owns a controlling interest in JATCO the company that actually makes the Nissan CVT.

Audi, Honda, Hyundai, Subaru, and Toyota all make their own CVTs. Nissan owns a controlling interest in JATCO, the firm that supplies 49 percent of the world’s gear-free transmissions to Chrysler, GM, Mi­tsu­bishi, and Suzuki. In addition, nearly half of Nissan’s current U.S. models offer a JATCO-supplied CVT.

That's frightening.

JATCO automatics are awful.

[Bubba1]

[
JATCO automatics are awful.

Perhaps Nissan should rename JATCO to a more accurate JUNKO.