R50/53 CVT Automatic!
4th Gear
Joined: May 2002
Posts: 378
Likes: 0
From: Maine
The steptronic Tranny is a belt-driven transmission, with ratios constantly being re-worked. When driving though you'll feel something resembling a shift, but this isn't real because of the simple fact, No set ratios. Other than that, what can I say? It drives like any automatic... Heh. You can however switch from a sport/normal driving setting. I think it's great for city driving!
2nd Gear
Joined: Jul 2002
Posts: 119
Likes: 0
Instead of screaming Emergency-911 to get a phone no, which you should have if you have a MINI and which you shouldn't use to bother the people if you don't, and asking how the transmission works, why don't you show a little initive and search some of the earlier posts and read some of the articles. Just a thought.enjoy your web surfing. 
1st Gear
Joined: Jun 2002
Posts: 39
Likes: 0
From: Stevens Point, WI
Don't worry about it slamedde86. Many of us started on these forums by asking questions which could be answered through some other and easier route.
Actually, I'm sorry you haven't gotten more answers to your post. I have a cvt making its way through the VPC, it is my family's second MINI. The first is a five speed. We haven't driven a cvt and I'm curious about what it will be like.
However, I do know how a cvt works. It is not new technology. These transmissions have been used in motorscooters and small cars for a while. Simply put, it consists of two variable diameter pulleys. At start, the drive pulley is at its smallest diameter and the driven pully is at its largest, As the vehicle gains speed, the drive pulley grows larger and the driven one gets smaller providing increasingly higher drive ratios. It should be a seamless transition from lowest to highest ratio, but drivers seem to want to feel gears shifting. To accomodate this, manufacturers have programmed in "shift" points. I wish that had not happened because I think the seamless style would have been neat.
How it feels to drive one? I don't know, but my wife and I will soon be finding out. I have done several searches on these forums to see what people thought of it. Overall, the posts have been very favorable. The previous respondent actually offered you a good suggestion. Try some searches. You will be pleased by what you find.
Happy motoring when you get yours.
Actually, I'm sorry you haven't gotten more answers to your post. I have a cvt making its way through the VPC, it is my family's second MINI. The first is a five speed. We haven't driven a cvt and I'm curious about what it will be like.
However, I do know how a cvt works. It is not new technology. These transmissions have been used in motorscooters and small cars for a while. Simply put, it consists of two variable diameter pulleys. At start, the drive pulley is at its smallest diameter and the driven pully is at its largest, As the vehicle gains speed, the drive pulley grows larger and the driven one gets smaller providing increasingly higher drive ratios. It should be a seamless transition from lowest to highest ratio, but drivers seem to want to feel gears shifting. To accomodate this, manufacturers have programmed in "shift" points. I wish that had not happened because I think the seamless style would have been neat.
How it feels to drive one? I don't know, but my wife and I will soon be finding out. I have done several searches on these forums to see what people thought of it. Overall, the posts have been very favorable. The previous respondent actually offered you a good suggestion. Try some searches. You will be pleased by what you find.
Happy motoring when you get yours.
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