Combining Form And Function With The Ten Speed Transmission

Combining Form And Function With The Ten Speed Transmission

While a ten speed transmission may seem excessive at face value, several luxury and performance models are now favoring the idea of more gears over the much-maligned continuously variable transmission (CVT.) 

CVTs don't have fixed gears, instead constantly changing ratios to maintain a balance of optimal operating speed to gear at all times. This is extremely efficient, both in performance and fuel economy. It's also extremely boring. What you end up with is a flat hum that just drones on as you increase and decrease speed. The solution several auto manufacturers have found is to add gears to their automatic transmissions. This gives more flexibility with economy while delivering the sound and feel we've come to expect from a transmission.

While this may not be a perfect solution, there is a noticeable improvement in fuel economy by bumping up the gear factor.

For example, in a recent road test Lexus was able to achieve 29 MPG on a 400-mile highway stretch in their LC 500. Not bad for a car with a 471-hp 5.0 liter V8!

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Written By: Todd Hendrickson
Source: Popular Mechanics