Relay-Version: version B 2.10 5/3/83; site utzoo.UUCP Path: utzoo!watmath!clyde!floyd!harpo!ihnp4!inuxc!pur-ee!uiucdcs!uicsl!keller From: keller@uicsl.UUCP Newsgroups: net.auto Subject: Gearless Transmissions--Finally - (nf) Message-ID: <5252@uiucdcs.UUCP> Date: Mon, 30-Jan-84 22:49:03 EST Article-I.D.: uiucdcs.5252 Posted: Mon Jan 30 22:49:03 1984 Date-Received: Tue, 7-Feb-84 06:40:24 EST Lines: 16 #N:uicsl:2800009:000:846 uicsl!keller Jan 30 12:43:00 1984 BuisnessWeek (Feb. 6, 1984, p.74) has an article about continuously variable ratio transmissions being introduced in Europe and Japan this summer with US introduction in 1986. The system works by adjusting two opposing conical faces of a pully that force a belt up or down their face in proportion to the separation. The belt runs between two such adjustable pullys and is (here's the secret) made of a string of steel plates on steel band. Projected life is 100k miles and can handle 450-hp. When combined with electronic controls it should be much better than traditional automatics and may challenge manual transmissions. Currently one company has a monopoly on these "gearless transmissions." It is a small Dutch company called Van Doorne Transmissie. However every other manufacturer is working on it. Volvo is part owner of this company.