Although hybrid cars are the rage, and there are all kinds of alternative energy sources on the horizon, hybrids are cost prohibitive, generally ranging from $ 3000 to $ 7000 more than the gas version of that model only . However, instead of changing fuel sources, car companies have been using a new type of transmission to improve fuel economy, lower emissions, and actually make vehicles faster without increasing the sticker price.These companies are using a continuously variable transmission (CVT) and instead have started (or gear), which constantly varies the gear ratios and engine performance, so that both operate at its highest efficiency in all driving conditions.Because these key components of the power train is at its peak efficiency at all times, fuel economy is improved by 6-8% and the carbon dioxide emissions are reduced by 10%.Although these figures may sound impressive, the gas savings increase highway mileage of most vehicles from 4 to 6 miles per gallon, totaling $ 3/gallon pretty fast.The CVT potential to reduce emissions is also significant. As Carlos Ghosn, CEO of Nissan Motor Company, said, achieving its goal of selling one million CVT-equipped vehicles in late 2007 will have "the same effect in terms of reducing CO2 emissions as the sale of 200,000 electric vehicles hybrids. "Since there is no change between fixed gears, no sense not to "shift shock" or shaking, which makes them exceptionally smooth driving. CVT also do well in mountainous terrain as there is no "team game" or bogging down on a hill, followed by a downshift strong, violent, which also contributes to greater acceleration.You may be wondering why this is not in every car, if so great. Well, every year, more vehicles on the American market adding CVT as an option, although it has happened quietly, like many people are wary of new technologies, especially in cars.The CVT is actually quite old, but this is new to the U.S. Automakers. The concept was developed by Leonardo Da Vinci and was first patented in the 1800s for industrial applications. The CVT has been used in European and Asian vehicles since 1950, but until recently CVT could not handle the power that American drivers demand for its vehicles. However, the CVT has had widespread use in snowmobile racing and Formula 500 in those with a reputation for extending engine life and be much easier to rebuild a manual transmission or automatic transmission step.So where you can test a vehicle equipped with a CVT? Well, you can go to dealers selling Ford, Dodge, Audi, or Mini Cooper, to name a few, despite a Nissan dealership can be the best place to go. To succeed in its goal of one million sales of CVT in 2007, have been installed in almost all CVT sedan in its lineup, including the best-selling Altima, Maxima and Versa economic (as a side note, Nissan also has side curtain airbags standard on these models, improving safety and reducing insurance costs).Although you do not have the budget for a hybrid vehicle or can not wait for the miracle fuel to market, you can take it easy on the environment and your checkbook, for control of a few cars with vocational training permanent.
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