Nissan Motor And JATCO Develop New Fuel Efficient CVT

Published: 22-Jul-2009

By: Staff Writer Staff Writer Staff Writer

Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. (Nissan Motor) and JATCO Ltd. (JATCO) have announced the joint development of a new compact, fuel efficient and lightweight continuously variable transmissions (CVTs). The new CVT design features a structure combining conventional CVT belt operation with an auxiliary gearbox and a significantly increased gear ratio range. The new CVT is scheduled to appear in compact Nissan vehicles worldwide in the near future.

Key features of the new CVT are:

High transmission ratio for quick starts and acceleration:

The new structure raises the available transmission ratio from current 6.0:1 to 7.3:1, more than 20% higher than other CVTs, for enhanced responsiveness on starting and acceleration. The 7.3:1 ratio is higher than the average conventional 7-speed automatic transmissions used on high-displacement engine-equipped vehicles.

Compact and lightweight:

This new CVT configuration combines a belt-operated CVT with an auxiliary transmission, shortening its overall length by 10% and reducing weight by 13% compared to conventional CVTs in its class.

Superb drivability:

The new CVT features the Adaptive Shift Control (ASC), which improves performance by automatically selecting the best ratio for startup, acceleration and uphill or downhill driving.

Nissan believes the CVT has very good potential as a leading technology for raising the fuel efficiency of internal-combustion engine systems, said Shuichi Nishimura, corporate vice president, Nissan Powertrain Engineering Division. Nissan first began applying CVT technology in 1991 and has been continuously evolving CVTs, engine-cooperative management and other systems, and expanding their use in Nissan vehicles. The need to improve fuel economy, with the resulting reductions in CO2 emissions motivated us to step up our efforts in the joint development with JATCO of this next-generation CVT.

The revolutionary structure of the next-generation CVT, with its auxiliary transmission, not only raises the transmission ratio, reduces weight and adds fuel efficiency, its compact design also expands its applicability to a broader range of vehicles, said Yo Usuba, vice president, JATCO. We believe it is an excellent choice for automakers seeking to raise the fuel efficiency of their smaller cars.

Based on the mid-term environmental program Nissan Green Program 2010, Nissan Motor and JATCO have achieved sales of 1 million CVT-equipped vehicles, as well as introducing 7-speed automatic transmissions to improve fuel efficiency. The companies will continue to introduce effective technologies and products into the market in pursuit of a sustainable mobility society.

JATCO is an affiliate transmission supplier of Nissan Motor and CVT manufacturer.

No items to display

Tell your friend about this article