Honda Is Putting a CVT Into The Civic Type R, And No We're Not Joking
Grab your pitchforks, light some medieval torches and head to your nearest Honda dealer, because it looks like they’re about to fit a CVT transmission to the Civic Type R.
Initially reported by the likes of Autocar and Car in their printed editions about a week ago, before being picked up online, interviews with senior Honda/Civic Type R staff have revealed that as well as the standard six-speed manual, the engineers have kicked a dual-clutch option to the kerb in favour of – shock, horror – a CVT.
Not exactly famed for their wondrous driver involvement, you’ll find CVTs in the likes of the Toyota Prius and automatic versions of the Honda Jazz. Hmmmm, now there’s a couple of encouraging signs.
But, in theory at least, CVT transmissions are the most efficient way to get the most power to the wheels, most often. They enable the engine to stay at peak power and/or torque, and that could make them faster pretty much everywhere. Whether we like it or not, that matters to some buyers.
More specifically, it matters to buyers with lots of money to spend. There aren’t many manual gearboxes left in the world of widely-available high-end sports and supercars, because buyers want automatics, either through laziness or a desire for outright speed (at least on paper).
For proof of the CVT’s performance potential, Formula One went so far as to ban the technology over two decades ago, branding it an unfair advantage – and probably too boring to listen to.
Honda is claiming that the system will be optimised for low-end acceleration and could even shave a few seconds off the car’s Nurburgring lap time, suggesting that it’s going after the VW Golf GTI Clubsport S’s new record of 7mins 47.19sec.
That won’t solve the nagging issue of noise, though, and how Honda plans to get around the droning, mooing, God-awful racket CVT-equipped cars create. We’re all ears, Honda.
Comments
Aaaaand there goes even more of the pure driving experience.
Why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why whyWhy why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why whyWhy why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why whyWhy why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why whyWhy why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why why
My car is a manual and my moms car has the same v6 but with a cvt, and there is a noticable difference in acceleration. My manual is way faster. Her car may be heavier, but keeping that in mind, it’s still slower. Yes, if I floor it, it stays at a constant 5500 rpm, but it’s just not as fast or as fun as the manual.
How is that a bad thing? It’s not like they’re gonna sell priusus instead. Just get the manual everyone.
CVT makes sense for turbo engines, to always keep them in the boost range. CVTsay be my least favourite transmission type, but their advantages can’t be denied.
“As well as a six speed manual” why do you care. If you want the manual get the manual. If you want the cvt get the cvt. it’s not like it’s restricted to the cvt.
The only experience I have of a CVT gearbox is from a 2014 Proton Saga my family hired in Borneo once, so admittedly it’s not the most sophisticated example, but while I don’t think they’re too bad of a gearbox (slightly overhated, I think), I just don’t see the point in giving one to such a driver-focused car. Remember how much crap people gave the current Renaultsport Clio back when it first came out for not offering a manual?
I have no problem with this as long as they offer a manual option alongside it. CVTs have the potential to be great performance transmissions
+1
Although many people will bash me for hating the CVT
Remember people still have opinions
I HATE CVT AND AUTOMATIC ITS BORING AND IT DOESNT FIT THE CAR SOMETIMES AND WTF IS HONDA DOING
Worst part is that they just added a CVT for Bette lap times
I have a Nissan juke eith a CVT transmission, and regardless of what Richard Hammond says, i feel its fun. I feel the transmission isn’t the issue, so much as its the turbo lag. If i really hammer down, I can get wheel spin (probably due to crappy stock tires though) and the car will redline for a goooood while before finally changing its ratio.
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