Continously Variable Transmition in America

[mperkel]

I see that CVT is available in other countries but not in the US. Why is that. It's something I definitely want. I'm a CR-V owner now.

Also - how about CVT for the CR-V?

[sam]

I suspect Honda is making a wise marketing decision by introducing the Fit as a simple, powerful economy car- even with an automatic transmission. The engine is also tuned that way, with a power focus on the mid and upper RPM range.

I hope that once production increases and the Fit is commonly recognized they will make the CVT and CVT-7 available in US/Canada.

Certainly there is a need to dispel the initial reaction by many people- "Great looking car but will it go on the highway?" I'd hate to have someone test drive a CVT configured for economy and dismiss the car as unresponsive. One of the international reviews specifically commented on having to get use to the CVT's lag between pressing on the gas and accelerating- apparently it defaults to reving the engine and then increasing speed.

If I can find the posting quickly, I'll update this posting.

[mperkel]

I would assume that the configuration is all in software. Technically reving the engine is the fastest way to increase speed. You get the engine going at a higher speed where it can produce more power by "downshifting" the ratio and then bring the ratio up as it accellerates. Once you reach the target speed you then lower the RPMs and then take the ratio even higher.