a legend returns - Nissan Lebanon

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NISSAN is about to deliver a big change for drivers. Over the next two years it is planning a fourfold increase in models fitted with continuously variable transmission, or CVT. By the end of 2007, Nissan is planning to have increased sales of models with CVT from around 250,000 now to a million units. That increase means Nissan will almost singlehandedly have raised worldwide sales of models with CVT from the current level of seven per cent to almost a quarter of global registrations. Nissan intends to lead by example with a system which not only maximises refinement, but improves driving performance and makes a measurable difference to fuel economy compared to conventional automatic transmission systems. Nissan’s CVT expansion plan focuses on the Japan and US markets, where the proportion of CVT-fitted vehicles is expected to rise to 50% and 40% respectively. Nissan first introduced CVT to its passenger vehicle range in 1992 with the application of the N CVT to the March (Micra) compact vehicle. Since then, the company has been at the forefront of global CVT innovation. In 1997, Nissan introduced HYPER CVT to the Primera and Bluebird models, the world’s first CVT capable of being paired with 2.0-litre class engines. In 2002, Nissan introduced its third generation CVT to the Murano crossover SUV in the US, followed by the Teana luxury sedan in Japan in 2003. This was the world’s first 3.5-litre frontwheel drive adaptable X-TRONIC CVT, offering a breakthrough in smoothness, responsiveness and fuel efficiency. In December 2004, Nissan introduced a new generation of X-TRONIC CVT units for medium class models, starting with the Nissan Lafesta minivan. Improvements include the tuning of the hydraulic and electronic controls to boost the CVT shift response, and the development of a wider gear ratio range, contributing significantly to acceleration and fuel efficiency under ordinary driving conditions. Combined with Nissan’s new MR20 4-cylinder petrol engine and other improvements on the vehicle, average fuel efficiency has improved by 37 per cent compared with an existing same-size vehicle. 22 ALL CHANGE Nissan is taking a world lead in the manufacture of CVTs – here we explain why, and how CVT works This is a vitally important element in environmental awareness and responsibility, as the UK motor industry’s Foresight Vehicle programme has identified. It concluded in a report that “Vehicle and engine manufacturers must meet consumer demand for improved vehicle performance and drivability whilst achieving the challenge of reducing fuel consumption and emissions. “Transmission improvements, e.g. automated manual gearboxes, continuously variable transmissions etc, will also enhance performance characteristics, particularly when coupled to advanced control strategies.” For Nissan this is a win-win situation with its engines and transmissions working in harmony not only for owners but also for the environment. The wide application of CVT, which significantly improves fuel efficiency, will help to reduce CO2 emissions, one of the major causes of global warming. Complex: At the heart of the X-TRONIC CVT is a very strong steel belt connecting two pulleys which have V-shaped grooves in which the belt sits.
Smooth: JATCO has taken on board the principal of CVT and it’s probably best illustrated in the latest X-TRONIC CVT as fitted to the Murano. Transmission of Choice Nissan is currently the only manufacturer in the world offer a full CVT line-up for all, medium and large class passenger vehicles. Nissan’s CVT units are built by Shizuokabased JATCO Ltd., a consolidated subsidiary of Nissan Motor Co., Ltd. To best understand how CVT has become the transmission of choice for Nissan, we must first look at the alternatives. The manual gearbox is probably the most familiar to drivers in Europe. With synchromesh to integrate gears, changing from one gear to other is very smooth and the clutch is light and responsive. But, as traffic has dramatically increased, particularly in urban areas, drivers can find themselves declutching, selecting and reselecting gears several times a minute as they crawl in queues. Some vehicle manufacturers have developed a manual transmission that is as normal but without a clutch pedal. These use a conventional clutch assembly and gearbox. Each time a gear is selected, an electronically controlled motor, instead of your foot, activates the clutch. This then disengages the clutch, the gear is shifted and the clutch engaged once more. Fully automatic gearboxes, which dominate in TECHNOLOGY America, rely on hydraulic fluid pressure to shift the gears up and down. Some 40 years ago, DAF developed the somewhat complicated first generation of Continuously Variable Transmission. The principal behind this type of transmission is one of being an automatic but with no real gear selection capabilities. It relied on centrifugal forces throwing out bobweights within a pulley assembly and the whole lot was driven by drive-belts. It enabled the car to virtually free-wheel at higher speeds, therefore saving fuel. JATCO has taken on board the principal of CVT and extensively simplified and refined it. It’s probably best illustrated in the latest X-TRONIC CVT as fitted to the Murano, which itself posed an engineering challenge with its high power 3.5-litre engine. At the heart of the X-TRONIC CVT is a very strong steel belt connecting two pulleys which have V-shaped grooves in which the belt sits. One pulley is driven by engine output and the other transmits torque to the wheels. On signals from a number of sensors linked to the throttle and brakes, hydraulic pumps increase or reduce the space between the two pulleys and effectively alter their working diameter and the distance the belt has to travel, but always ensures it is at its optimum. The Nissan CVT systems mean there are no annoying continuous changes up or down the transmission when climbing or descending hills as the gearbox searches for power or braking force. While the engine runs efficiently, the transmission works seamlessly and absorbs less power itself. For Murano, the system has been refined to its highest degree. The normal and power modes have been supplemented with a start-up mode to give stronger acceleration from rest before the normal or power modes slip into play. This overcomes the familiar jerk from moving off or under kickdown demand. Finally, Nissan realised some drivers wanted the ability to select their own gears and the X-TRONIC CVT has six set change points accessed by moving the gearlever forwards or backwards as desired. Courtesy: N-COM 2006 23
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a legend returns - Nissan Lebanon

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