Why Nissan/Infiniti don't have new transmissions?
 

I know the 5speed auto has been receiving many positive reviews. However, I wonder if Nissan is choosing the CVT as the next gen transmission of choice, since the Nissan Versa will have it next year. I haven't heard of any news of a 6/7speed auto or a DSG (a la Audi) or even a regular auto manual (M3, MR2, etc). IIRC the rumors are that the GT-R will have an auto manual, but I've also heard rumors that it will have a CVT. Seems that all major manufacturers offer at least 6 cogs in their transmissions.

There were complains against the GT8 version of V35 Skyline. It's 8 speed CVT with shift pedals and a lot of people didn't like it. Not sure why they didn't like.

Driving a CVT is like driving a golf cart: It's no FUN!

With a CVT, the auto would probably be faster than the manual version. Infinitely variable gearing would be pretty cool :cool:

probably have a new 6AT first

I've driven the GT8 in a video game. Yes, a video game. "Enthusia Professional Racing" has been praised as the most realistic simulation on the PS2, but feel free to disregard my opinion anyway. ;) They've taken the effort to simulate manual, auto, CVT and hybrid. The shifting characteristics of the auto are pretty spot on, and the CVT (having driven the Murano) feels pretty accurate as well.

So here's how it goes. From a standing start in first gear, the car runs to red line. When you shift up, it drops to around 6000rpm and <i>mostly stays there</i> as the car accelerates. As you shift through the remaining gears it does the same thing, the revs don't drop. It just feels very weird. There's 8 gears but it still behaves like a CVT.

http://www.firingsquad.com/games/ent.../images/05.jpg

found this calculator
http://cvt.com.sapo.pt/performances/CVT_vs_MT_calc.htm

So let me get this right? CVT never drops RPM doing shifting. If that is the case then every car should be a CVT. Why did I ever learn to drive a manual?

You don't even need CVT to keep the revs high. Simply a more aggressive torque converter. TC's are what make the autos king of the drag strip........

Thank you - I will.

Basing a transmission performance opinion on a video game? Come on now...you're worse than Car and Driver!

That's the funniest thing I have read all week!

The 8 "speeds" are simply pre-determined ratios within an infinitely variable system.

Few up to now could handle the torque output of the motors we Americans desire, so they were primarily utilized on smaller/lighter/lower output vehicles.

The driving sensation is a little wierd..... a very smooth, constant acceleration. IMHO, the "gears" are there to provide a more familiar "feel."

I hear CVTs feel like rubber bands in the tranny. haha.

I'd much rather have an electronic clutch vs a true auto. ie... traditional clutch/flywheel assembly. But have the clutch controls electronicly controled. Ala Ferrari and SMG BMW I belive. 6 sp please. :D

I like the current tranny quite a bit. A big step over my 03 Alti. This tranny hold the rpms much better, and is much more resistant to upshifting prematurely. I think they've done a great job with this one. The only complaint I have is once you shift into manu-matic mode. The upshifts are WAY too slow to be effective.

I think the 5 speed auto in the 05's with the downshift rev matching is pretty neat. Not the best auto tranny in the world but decent...