Originally posted by: OS
Originally posted by: senseamp
Of course if you don't think that, then CVT's are infinitely better than transmissions with any number of fixed speeds since they have infinite number of gears.
As long as the gearing is a good match for the engine, and the shifts are smooth it's fine. GM engines have good low end torque, so they don't need many gears just to keep the engine in the rev band.
unfortunately, since CVTs are not based off of conventional planetary gearsets, the technology is not proven.
I've driven more crappy late model GM sedans than I care to count back, 4 speed autos suck no matter who makes them and no, GM sedan corporate mule motors do not have particularly more balls than any other make.
4 speeds is especially sucky because the response results in a digital sort of effect, either you're crusing around too slowly, or too much revs because it has to downshift a down a tall ass gear. There is no nice medium for brisk driving.
1500 rpm at 55 mph.
2k rpm at 65...
no nice medium?