From www.autoexpress.co.uk:

Now I wonder if the US might get this option if and when we finally get the Evo VII? I think it would be pretty sweet if it had some sort of launch mode too like on the new M3 SMG.

 

The CVT would be cool!
I would like the CVT and not have to worry about traffic jams(really bad ones here) and hills.
CVTs also give very good mileage and performance equal to manual transmission.

There, the Evo7 is now a mainstream car, no longer quite the homologation model it once was.

 

How does CVT work exactly? Doesn't it technically have an infinite gear ratio the way it's setup? I thought the Honda Civic HX used a CVT tranny... probably for economical purposes of course.

Do you think this would work better the the Bimmer's SMG or is it more of medium between the true semi-automatic like the SMG or the tiptronic setups that are really autos?

If it performs and feels like a true semi-automatic, then I could really dig that setup for traffic jammed US highways and the occasional twisties

Mark

 

I think its a really stupid idea!! Its already out on the 250bhp Lancer Cedia Wagon....I believe they are working on it to deal with the more powerful and torquey EVO engine.

All semi-automatics based on automatic or CVT transmissions are pretty pathetic! Evo drivers don't want a torque converter or a couple of variable pulleys to put their power down....they want a bloody clutch!!! They should have tried to develop something along the lines of the Ferrari/Maserati and BMW systems. I'm sure an evo driver would prefer one of these more!!
It was probably just too expensive!!! Mitsubishi Motors are doing pretty bad all over the world... and probably tend to cut budget from R&D projects for special cars like the Evo. Not a good idea IMO as the Evo 7 seems to be the only selling MMC here in Japan!!!!

 

oki,

i'm with you mate. Auto transmissions are for old ladies.

One of the motoring mags had a good review of all the different types of gear boxes. Basically none was as good for total driving experience as a manual, but the new BMW system came close. It's normally the upshifts that are not very good. the CVT system was about the worst of the bunch. They also liked the powershift on a John Deer (tractor), 27 forward gears, 7 reverse, takes 700lb/ft. Trouble is it weighs 1.5tonnes

 

He he... 27 gears!! You'll get a bloody severe cramp if you have to heel and toe down all 27 gears!!!

The only decent sequentials are the ones with a pedal clutch! X-Trac comes to mind but at 30 grand its a bit out of most peoples price-range...

 

The 360 Modena transmission is supposed to be nice I hear from people that actually own one, but they probably don't give the car too much stick.

 

for street cars..the ferrari 360 currently has the fastest computer shifter...the BMW's SMG for the coming M3(?) is gonna be even faster

 

I like the european attitude on this. Feh I say, no need for an auto.

I can admire the technology involved with clutchless manuals like the BMW SMGII and Ferrari systems, but a plain old standard tranny is most fun for me...

 

I agree, but when it takes you 1 hour to go about 15 miles or so it's time for compromises

Mark

 

Or some massive left calf muscles

Yeah, the semi-autos are worlds better than a regular slushbox. Just feels like I'm only doing half the driving in an auto, don't like that very much.

 

Driving wise autos are shiat. You can control a car a lot better when it keeps the gear that your in. With autoboxes you never know if it's going to change gears midcorner, which can be very bad. The only way to control a car via throttle is either manual or a real semi-auto box.

 

My boss has one, (and a F40, can you say *rich*?) and he says it's great, but not cheap, because the clutch needs to be changed every few thousand miles.

I think it will be awhile before you see a semi-auto tranny that can shift faster than a manual in anything but exotics and race cars. I bet the WRC guys change their clutch after every stage.

 

Hey Mike ....do you remember Nakaya driving the RS in that DVD you got at Autobacs?? Now that be some fast gear changing!!!!