Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

Keywords

What is a continuously variable transmission?

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a type of automatic gearbox that can change seamlessly through a range of gears. It does this because it doesn’t have lots of different-sized cogs, as in conventional gearboxes, but instead uses a belt and a single conical shaped gear, so shifts are super smooth, as the belt moves along the cone, with its different thicknesses (which replicate different gears).

Related Jargon

What is a car transmission?

A transmission is another name for a car’s gearbox.

What is an automatic transmission?

Automatic transmission changes gears as the vehicle moves, without the driver having to do anything themselves.

What does engine torque mean in a car?

In essence, torque is the pulling power of an engine, the force that’s needed to get a car in motion, and keep it going.

What is a continuously variable transmission?

A continuously variable transmission (CVT) is a type of automatic gearbox that can change seamlessly through a range of gears.

What is a dual-clutch automatic gearbox and how does it work?

A dual-clutch transmission (DCT) is a type of gearbox that uses two separate clutches and sets of gears, with one set for odd gears and another for the even ones.