Check it out. I was just browsing the japanese site for the Skyline/V35/G35 and found something interesting. Among the other MANY outstanding goodies we do not get here in the states, there "appears" to be an option for a paddle shift system.

Don't if it's for an SMG style tranny or a "auto-stick". Oh yeah, how do you get to it? First click on the link below and then click on the 3rd tab from the left on top. You will then see a picture of the 6MT tranny. At the bottom left in small text you should see in parenthesis (350GT-8).

Click on that link and it will show a picture of what appears to be a steering wheel mounted paddle shift system, (just like rally cars). How cool would that be if it was available here. Anyone read japanese? I want more info! Peace.
[img]/w3timages/icons/cool.gif[/img]

http://www2.nissan.co.jp/SKYLINE/V35...CHA/index.html


-Jason
Laser Red '03 6MT

 

Try to view the image in a new window and then put the link here... All I see is a choice between Coupe and Sedan.

 

Those are definatly paddle shifters!! Im a little rough around the edges when it comes to reading Japaneese but the procession of pics is 6mt, AT, then PADDLES. Must be shifters!! Pretty damn sweet

 

Hey..

The 350GT-8 youre talking about is no mystery. It uses a CVT 8 gear paddle shift. You can also use the auto-manual method conventially. However they say its suppose to be just as fast as sequential. Very instant. We won't get it here anytime soon or long.

SMG II on the M3's have paddle shifts also. It is the same concept, except the M3's are much smarter I personally think. But the the CVT 8 gear is not a dummy. It is especially made for the new v35 sedan called the 350GT-8. However, I really cant agree on 8 gears, I have a 6MT and already Im a bit tired haha..

Imagine shifting every second. Anyway, they dont have it for the coupe, only the sedan. That's the last time I checked. Ever play arcade machines with paddle shifts? EXACTLY the same. This concept was originated from the GT3 Logitech PS2 (Playstation 2) Steering Wheel Controller. Nissan Japan asked the developer of the controller to help make this CVT 8 Gear.

Another thing might surprise you is in Japan, they have 4WD versions that use ATTESSA, just like the Godzilla's (GTR's) Only available for the Sedan so far. I havent checked in awhile, I might be outdated. Anyway hope this helps.

DREAM about getting it, unless you are willing to pay extra bucks to get the tranny here, and custom install it. Never is it impossible when you got the cash. [img]/w3timages/icons/smile.gif[/img]

<font color=blue>G35/Skyline 350GT Coupe
Silv - Graph - 6MT - Aero - Prem - Naviless</font color=blue> [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img]

 

Every time I read about companies doing this with CVT transmissions, I get frustrated. It's like they are trying to confuse or trick the uneducated public. Keep in mind that a CVT transmission is not even remotely similar to the sequential trannies such as BMW's SMG units. A CVT tranny does not even have any "gears", per se: they have a *continuously* adjustable gear ratio. I'd recommend looking up how a CVT works, and this will make sense. Also, keep in mind that a CVT is more like a convential auto tranny than anything else. A CVT has a torque converter just like a conventional auto, and thus does not have that solid connection between engine and drive shaft that a manual or sequential tranny will have.

In my mind, making a CVT with "fake" gear shift points is just pointless. It simply feeds the desire of people to think that a transmission must have defined shift points and static gear ratios, which a CVT does not. It would be much more efficient to let it do its thing properly and let it continuously adjust the ratio while keeping the engine rpm at the sweet spot. Think about it: why do we have to shift? To keep the engine rpm in the zone which creates the most power. When you are accelerating and leave that zone, you shift into the next gear so you can get back into the zone. A CVT does this particular feat better than any other type of tranny. It can keep the engine rpm in exactly one spot the entire time you are accelerating. This one spot can be the spot where the engine is making its peak power or torque. If you can keep the engine there the entire time you are accelerating, why on Earth would you want to shift and mess it up?

Don't get me wrong, I do like CVT trannies. I'd take a CVT over a convential auto tranny any day. But that being said, I'll still take a manual (or sequential) over a CVT any day.

 

I agree.. CVT is just a fancy abbreviation for a auto-manual. Like most cars you can't downshift anytime over 4000rpm. (well the G35 is like that).

I never said the CVT was good, I like the SMGII way better, as i mentioned it's much smarter. Acts faster, and gives your instant response anytime you want it. There is a difference between SMG and SMG II also. Anyway, the 350GT-8 is the smartest CVT to date next to mercedes speedshift, but i say that sucks too.

That's why I have a 6MT, i hate being controlled by the car.

<font color=blue>G35/Skyline 350GT Coupe
Silv - Graph - 6MT - Aero - Prem - Naviless</font color=blue> [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img]

 

It's not a fancy abbreviation for an auto-manual. It's basically like an auto-manual when you use the fake shift points, but it's much better than a conventional auto (or auto-manual) when you just stick it in "D" and go. In fact, the day may come when CVT's outperform manual transmissions. Right now they have trouble mating them to high-powered engines.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

Ok guys now I'm confused. I thought that a CVT was did not shift at all but just created a smooth acceleration with no changing of the gears during acceleration. Yet the G35 CVT supposedly has 8 gears? Are they traditional gears in the sense or just ratios. Please explain...

-Jason
Laser Red '03 6MT

 

The Skyline's CVT, and also the Audi A4's optional CVT, have a manumatic mode where they "fake" gears (only 6 on the Audi).

A CVT uses bands and cones to vary the gearing. When in the manual mode, it uses 8 (or 6) specific points on the band/cones, and locks itself to those positions. The driver shifts between these points with the stick or paddles, simulating real gears. It's a gimmicky marketing thing, mainly. The CVT performs better in "D" than if you row the gears yourself.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter

 

red, its a real CVT that provides smooth acceleration, however, it has a "manumatic" mode that simulates having 8 gears. Basically the gear will stretch and contract to 8 different sizes with a flip of the manumatic shifter, or the paddles,

just stick it back on D and it will be a true CVT again

<font color=green>-Ramb0</font color=green>

 

Thanks guys. That sounds like marketing gayness to me. I thought it was a setup like the SMG on the E46 M3. Thanks for the explanation guys.

-Jason
Laser Red '03 6MT

 

it is a fancy abbreviation for Auto-Manual.. I said that because not everyone knows what Tiptronic means. Auto-Manual / CVT / Tiptronic is all the same. All those electronically controlled manual shiftings are better in just D no doubt. But that isnt the case when you need to downshift.

Like the G35 the shifting doesnt work when you are over 4000 rpm, so in intense racing. It's kinda pointless. SMG lets you change gears whenever, no restrictions. However the new 8 gear CVT, well i dont know too much about its performance. But the up shifts are just as fast as the SMG, less instant I still say and definitely less power transfer.

They arent fake gears, there really are 8 gears in the freakin tranny. It just changes electronically when you shift. Thats all i know.. anyways. we wont be getting it nor would it be useful here. 6 gears is already good for me. Manual is funner anyways. I can fall asleep on CVT's.



<font color=blue>G35/Skyline 350GT Coupe
Silv - Graph - 6MT - Aero - Prem - Naviless</font color=blue> [img]/w3timages/icons/wink.gif[/img]

 

CVT = Continuously Variable Transmission. It's completely different from a standard automatic on the inside. There are no gears, only belts and cones. Honda does it this way. Audi does it this way. If Nissan's CVT has 8 real gears, then they're abusing the term CVT.

2003.5 G35 Sedan Desert Platinum/Graphite Premium/Sport/Aero/Nav/Winter