regfootball

the newer CVT's are really responsive now. They can upshift and downshift as fast or faster, but perhaps you haven't driven them.

yeah its dandy that its got a wider spread but if its cannot change those ratios as quickly then its not an asset.

ok, just to clarify, there is no animosity here. but i don't think the latest and greatest gen of CVT's is being given a fair shake here by Dwight. and, the recognition that in models that FE is a target, you are seeing a movement to CVT's, the Cruze is even being targeted for CVT to improve the FE. It's not fair to judge CVT's on the crappy work that GM and Ford did with them over half a decade ago. Clearly the engineers failed at economy, performance, and reliability with it. They basically didn't do what they get paid to do. Look at what is being put out now. Put in the effort and resources, and you are where they are getting with them now. CVT and dual clutch again have had 1% the investment that slushboxes have had, there is nothing but improvement to be had. Go on the edmunds and such where actual owners have purchased a car with CVT and more than not say they like the stepless tranny once they adjust and get used to it. Over time as they tune the actions of it, things like the drone are minimized or gone, and adjusting to throttle and such you begin to appreciate the lack of steps. Just a fluid transition. Over time they will program the rubber bandiness out of it. CVT in no way is the only way to go, but it has a place, and GM Ford etc. can't afford to not have their entries with it. Where CVT's do well is moving the rpm to the torque band quickly and then getting off them even more quickly and settling into a non gas using range quicker than the stepped trans. The 'ratio spread' is somewhat insignificant. The response of the CVT if its quicker than a stepped tranny gets and keeps you in the powerband quicker and only as long as you need, assuming the driver is manning the throttle correctly.

what can sometimes be modular is combustion chamber design, and anything that can gain efficiency in manufacture. for example, a 2.5 four and 5.0 eight.thebottomendmightbedifferent,buttheupperscanbethesame.forgivememyspacebarjustquitonme.

any caddy v8 should be 4.5 to 5.0 litres. perhaps with the ability to be modded to 6.0 litres. a lotus and gm tie up on the v8 would add euro cred for caddy since folks in and outside the US feel GM has no ability to produce a quality motor by themselves (read:Europeans). If caddy ever wants in in Europe again they will need to have an angle like this with the euros.

i haven't driven the dual clutch on any of the gas turbo VW's (GTI etc.) but the dual clutch on the TDI was junk IMO. Apparently there is a reason the Passat etc. still has a steptronic instead of a dual clutch. Dual clutch is just like CVT in the respect that it has had about 1% total of the investment into the product that traditional slushboxes have had. Just like CVT if dual clutch had all the resources that slushoxes have had, they probably would be sublime and polished too. I think dual clutch holds promise as the automatic that has the chance to satisfy the shift it yourself bunch out there.

Which Murano did you sample....the first ones or the newest ones? The standard Altima's CVT is quite good. the 2.5 altima with CVT i spent 1000 miles in is faster and far more responsive then my father in laws grand prix with 3800 v6 and auto and its right up there with any excellent performing powertrain today. All the CVT's I have driven lately are quite good. You did not demonstrate that any of the CVT's you drove were recent. The Ford's was the worst of the bunch BUT THATS ALREADY 5-7 years PAST. Get in today. Just because the loser engineers at GM or Ford in the past couldn't design and build a decent one does not mean that the rest of autodom hasn't improved the breed tremendously. EPA economy and more importantly REAL WORLD economy does in deed depend on the tranny. The CVT's drop the engine rpms a lot lower in comparison to conventional autos and even manual gearboxes. The infinite adjustability, quick response is why they can do that. A Mazda6 manual turns 3k rpm at 70mph but a Subaru Legacy runs almost 1000 rpm less at same speed with its CVT. Most 4 bangers with even 6 speed autos are still turning close to 3k rpm at 70+. The response capability and wider spread of the CVT allows them to get the gearing to drop down at higher speeds and better FE. If they could do this with conventional autos and sticks, why aren't they? You keep talking in engineering speak, but you haven't addressed the basic question. Why do the CVT's run lower rpm on the highway, why are so many manuf's putting CVT's in their smaller cars to get better FE? Even GM just said recently they will be going back to CVT's. Apparently that is in direct conflict with what you just tried to lobby against.

is it worth 20 grand. does a cobalt make more sense at 8 grand less can it get out of its own way does it have any trunk or back seat space that you couldn't just get in a Kia Forte5? would you say its fit for interstate travel will you get epa mpg will the dual clutch tranny blow up on you while you have it, otherwise is it a good tranny how are those drum brakes how is the heated seats how are the seats in general, good support?? is it FUN?

Why has Nissan spread CVT's across nearly its whole Nissan brand lineup then? Subaru, Mits, Lexus, hybrids, all using CVT's. Ford stopped because they did an ASS job on it. Just like GM.. When you look at all the R&D time and money spent on traditional automatics and compare that CVT's have maybe seen 1% of that investment historically it suggests the engineers are finally doing a good basic job and now things can only improve tremedously. Traditional automatics are pretty tapped out in terms of what else they can do with them. If CVT's had the same amount of R&D behind them they would leave traditional autos in the dust. Every CVT I have driven lately has been quite good. The engine drone you suggest is constantly being improved as the logic behind the CVT behavior improves. Drivers also adjust their throttle style to take advantage of the right ratio for each situation. The CVT's are great, especially when they drop down to super low rpm's on the freeway. Not sure how something like a new Subaru outback can turn high 30's mpg on real world mpg numbers with an AWD vehicle and a normal stepped tranny. the CVT in those run 500-1000 rpm lower in top gear than the manual trans do, and respond faster to boot. The breed is improving, you may need to go out with an open mind and sample some. The latest Nissan v6 CVT's even get praise. You are basing your 'facts' on old information and to be honest piss poor engineering from those companies on older models. If CVT's have torque limits why does the Lexus hybrid sedan with all that power use a CVT? I think CVT's have great use in small to mid size cars. I do think stepped trannies probably will still be more prevalent in larger vehicles.

I am all for a Lotus and Caddy joint venture clean sheet DOHC engine for Cadillac application. No recycled truck motors for Caddy.

i'd like to see a manual override on the stop start. for example in winter its much better to leave your car running especially in extreme cold. the user should have the ability to be able to decide whether they want it on or off.

the eAssist if its not riddled with reliability issues. the malibu/aura hybrids were lemons, and i really think the whole stop start thing needs to be proven to work over time and in all sorts of weather. likewise with anything involving belts and generators etc. the 8 speed automatic is inevitable anyways, if other mfrs do it then GM will be forced to do it. dual clutch may prove a role in some smaller vehicles but I think CVT is probably a better idea for economy-mid level cars. true manuals are probably headed for the grave. I like sticks myself, but i think dual clutch has the best chance of usurping the real manuals.

I've thought about getting a Montana myself. Would you ever consider a Buick Rendezvoux.....almost as cavernous as the minivan. actually probably has a more useful load area....

That Lexus LFA sure is snappy looking. This lambo looks old already.

wow, this is original.

based upon your comment on the slick cruise control buttons I would assume the finger push button cruise on the stalk of GM's of yore seem a tad silly now, don't they..... just from sitting in the showroom it felt to me like the Regal has fantastic seats. I know the LaCrosse does. Having driven a Mazda6, it's got a nice level of refinement for a family sedan, but it feels large and I would hope the Regal is a much better drive. Even though the Mazda might be near the top of the heap in the family sedan class, I don't think its worthy of benchmark status Or maybe that just goes to show you how numb all the bread and butter sedans are these days, which is why I think the Regal has so much promise for Buick. I think that the point about this car as a commuter with the base 4 is valid and more than likely a lot of folks will buy the car this way. In return they get the better handling and luxury you don't get in the bread and butters. Then the turbo can compete with the near lux cars. If I were Buick I would get the base car up to a 200hp 2.5 spec and then use the GS turbo spec as the turbo option.. The GS would go beyond 300hp. The suggestion for noise cancellation in the car is a good one. Nice writeups.

8 speed auto standard 2.4 is a waste anything with a 'belt' scares me on reliability v6 is needed

right.

the beancounters would say that one less chassis to engineer and they might also say that exporting from AU is not cost effective. they would prefer to make fwd daewoos in china and korea and send them your way its not gonna change until we rid our executive culture of those types. Enjoy your front drive camaros! IMG_2251.MOV

i suppose its hard to sell saabs when the hyundai sonata turbo is lurking somewhere in the background.

if i werent so lazy right now i would get my phone and post that video i made at walmart yesterday in the toy aisle.... a kids toy camaro doing burnouts. but the camaro was FRONT DRIVE...lmao!!!!!!!! those wacky Chinese that make the toys sure know how to poke fun at the smoky burnout crowd!!!!

if i am going to rate stuff, i'd rather it be the t-- flashes on voyeurweb that's stuff worth rating. and well worth the time.

by 2020 I doubt any other carmakers will make a RWD platform non lux car.....

maybe they should downsize into an Aveo......er, Sonic.

http://www.buick.com/vehicles/future-vehicles/verano.html