can u still get the paddle controls with cvts? meaning is it just an auto or cna they do like the Z and allow the driver to shift too?

I don't know of any Nissan with a CVT with paddles so my guess would be no.

The torque limitations are based on the standard CVT style. However, a "chain" version was patented by Larry Anderson that would allow for extremely high amounts of torque based on a chain instead of a belt. The system used "floating sprocket bars" that would allow dynamic sprocket distance selection between the chain and sprocket. Built out of strong metals, this would prove to handle over 1000Lbs/tq.

Anderson was working on fatigue testing last time I'd talked to him. I think his son took over the project and they were scheduled to talk to some large auto manufacturers (I believe GM was one of them). I don't know what happened after that, but I've seen videos of the prototype working and it's pretty interesting. His domain has been taken down since, so he may have sold the patent and it may have been buried.

You can see the prototype of it at 1:17 in this video:


On a side note, CVTs are pretty boring, but if you couple it with an electric motor producing a lot of torque, it'd be far less boring because it'd be a "hold on tight and hit the gas" type situation. Personally I prefer a manual over anything, but there's pros and cons to everything.

Hmm Intresting....

cool vid. cvt's are not there yet, maybe in the future though

yes there are some that have paddle shifters and simulate the feeling of shifting gears but it's still mushy and kinda defeats the purpose of the CVT. although i understand the concept of CVT and it seems like a good idea really (especially for battery power only cars) i think i'll stick to tradition manuals, autotragics and DSG-style dual clutch auto manuals (GTR, porsche PDK, etc)

My CVT Altima coupe has a manual shifting feature on the floor tied into the automatic floorshift. It's weird to shift a CVT transmission as it doesn't have actual forward gears.

Yeah shifting a CVT through virtual gears is pointless and just slows you down. Although CVT's sound weird to us enthusiasts they allow you to harness maximum engine power. Think of the scenario of sitting on the starting line of a drag strip, you launch pretty traditionally and the revs quickly shoot up to near red-line ... and stay there for the entire trip down the strip. You just ran the 1/4 with your engine producing maximum HP for almost the entire length. With a traditional gearbox, be it manual or automatic, you are cycling between 70% and 100% and are only at that 100% peak for a split second before having to go back to 70% power.

As far as chain drive CVT goes, I believe it is already in use by the likes of Audi and Subaru and possibly others. It's the future of automatics.

it feels like your driving a boat tho... at least it sounds that way lol

it looks good on paper... but so do wankel's :)

in the old days, one would focus and adjust the light when taking a photograph. the modern cameras got rid of all that. one day, the modern cars probably would do the same to the manual transmission.

i still MF when the situation allows and i still shoot full manual mode. even tho i have a very technologically advanced DSLR, it still doesn't know what I want it to do sometimes, especially when it comes to exposure. so in that way, perhaps a true manual trans will never be replaced. having said that, see my above post about dual clutch automated manuals.

New Max has same paddle shifters as Z, and a similiar steering wheel and dash. Now as far as torque/power if they wanted to "doubtful although" they could incorporate this tranny into the Z........It could handle the Z's 270ft/lb of torque which is only 9 more ft/lbs than the Max which has 261ft/lb of torque.

Close... Japan's Skyline (our G35) with 8spd CVT.
Nissan Skyline GT-8 | First Drives | Car Reviews | Auto Express

I think it's a pleasure on the right kind of car---smooth and glides.

I'm an old guy too, but I don't find that interesting or enjoyable in the least... Maybe when I'm 80 and driving a Buick, but certainly not now at a mere 60....:tup: