Has anyone driven a CVT vehicle? I love the concept but am beginning to wonder if the lack of audible gear changes and constant wavering of the engine drone would drive you mad after a while? It is an excellent concept as far as keeping the engine in it's peak revs at all times.
The comparison, though is more complex after thinking it over. Yes, engines generally have a specific peak power output level, say 5000 rpm, but maybe you don't need that peak power 100% of the time. 60 or 80% may suffice for the great bulk of driving and those levels of power are probably accessible through a greatly expanded rev band, which a fixed gear in a manual can easily exploit, I theorise.
CVTs, despite being available in some cars for over fifteen years, are still giving problems as they are inherently fragile and subject to strain.
The CVT in the 1.2l 3 cylinder Mitsubishi Mirage is designed to take up to 150 hp, but as the engine in the Mirage only puts out 74hp, they should be unstressed and last lots longer then average CVTs. I have watched videos of both versions of the Mirage and the manual version seems more spritely and a lot more fun, but the CVT only sits on 2000rpm at 100km/h , compared to 3000 for the manual's fifth gear.
