YouTube - NuVinci Bicycle CVT
I got this off autobloggreen

For people who don't know how this is special, CVT currently uses a belt and two pullies, whose radius is variable. This one is planetary, which is what automatic transmissions are like.

This machine, it appears to have one set of ball bearings (AT has several sets). And It sets the gear ratio by moving discs, which affect the leverage. In traditional CVT, to get a high gear ratio, one pully (input/engine) is set to a small radius, and the other pully (output/wheels) is set to a high radius. For a low gear ratio, the input is set to big radius, and output is set to a small radius. The newer NuVinci accomplishes the same with two discs and a ball, instead of two pulleys and a belt.

The demo is for bikes, but it says it can work for machines too.

 

Are there any plans to bring a Honda Fit w/CVT to the U.S.? I would have bot(bought) the Fit with a CVT, but bought a Dodge Caliber w/CVT instead.

 

I saw the bicycle CVT about 2 years ago. The designer said it would work for autos but no unscale transmission was available for cars & no true stress tests had been done(since it was just for bicycles at the time). It is truly different from the Jatco CVTs developed for Nissan(1st the Versa & then other Nissan models) & Dodge Caliber. I like the bicycle CVT, but can't tell if it will be fundamentally better than the Jatco CVT which is using carbon fiber graphite, which should solve reliability problems of rubberized belts.

 

My wifes Nissan Murano has CVT and I really like it Power is good and the MPG is pretty amazing for an all wheel drive 4000lb vehicle. It is usually in the 24-26 range HWY, and that is not using the optimistic trip computer. It is the old fashioned way Gallons in miles out using a calculator.

Also I ride snowmobiles all winter, nothing but CVT on those. Mine has 150 HP and it works fine.

 

that's a great demo!
thanks for digging that up.