The difference between a robotic gearbox and an automatic one, which is better? "Automatic" or "mechanics": the pros and cons of gearboxes Which is better than a robot or an automatic gearbox.

Ten years ago, all drivers, before buying a car, always decided without any problems and confusion with which gearbox to buy a car. The choice was not difficult. Today, making such a choice is much more difficult. If there are no problems with a mechanical box, then any buyer may have difficulties, since at the moment there are several types of automatic boxes on the market, which differ not only in their design, but also have a different principle of operation.

However, on some of the more expensive models, automakers also began to install new 9 stepped boxes transmissions, which in a few years are likely to also appear on cheaper cars.

Conventional automatic transmissions use a torque converter in their design, which does the same job as the clutch in a manual transmission. But unlike mechanics, the torque converter is not activated when the clutch pedal is pressed, but automatically.

This is done with hydraulic system, in which the oil passes through special channels and enters certain sections of the box, creating pressure in the system, according to which the computer determines what speed should be turned on.

Thanks to the hydraulic interface, the modern automatic transmission shifts gears very smoothly. , since for the first time in the car market automatic transmissions appeared in 1940.

Since that time, the classic gearbox has improved in its characteristics, but, nevertheless, the principle of operation and the structure of the gearbox have practically not changed.

However, even modern automatic transmissions change gears slower than, for example, automatic transmission with two clutches, which primarily affects fuel consumption.

Therefore, a car with a conventional gearbox consumes more fuel than a similar car with a gearbox with two clutches.

Automatic transmission designations on, and: ZF 8HP; ZF 9HP; Tiptronic

Automatic transmission with dual clutch

The PDK gearbox, which is installed on cars, is one of the best in the world

Box with double clutch, as its name suggests, has two clutches in its design. This does not mean, of course, that a car with such a gearbox has two clutch pedals.

Of course, the whole process of the dual-clutch transmission is electronically controlled without driver intervention (no need to press the clutch pedal and shift gears yourself).

For example, one clutch controls the odd gears and the other the even gears. At the moment when you are driving in one gear, adding engine speed, the torque begins to be transmitted to the other shaft ( automatic switching gears) with little or no delay as the second clutch is ready to shift the clutch to transmit torque.

As a result of these actions, the gear shift process is faster than experienced driver switches the speed manually on a manual transmission.

In addition, some dual clutch transmission systems are more economical than manual transmissions. That is, some vehicles with a dual-clutch transmission consume much less fuel than vehicles with automatic and manual transmissions.

However, there is one drawback. This is the process when the vehicle starts moving. At first, the box can pause in order to engage the clutch on the shaft where the first gear is located. It is also felt when maneuvering on low revs engine. For example, you may feel the twitching of a car.

It is worth noting that the design of a dual-clutch transmission is very complex and due to the fact that this type of transmission has appeared on the market quite recently, it is still premature to talk about its reliability. It takes about 10 years for experts and car manufacturers to understand how similar type of transmission racks are before long car operation.

The most famous designations for dual-clutch gearboxes are: DSG, PDK, M-DCT and Powershift.

Automated manual transmission

Despite the fact that the Up is a small compact car during acceleration, gear changes are jerky due to the automated mechanical box gear

With the introduction of the dual-clutch transmission, automated manual transmissions are becoming a rarity in the global automotive market, but nevertheless, some companies still continue to install this type of transmission on many vehicles.

In a car that uses this type of gearbox, as well as a dual-clutch gearbox, there is no clutch pedal, but there is a gearshift knob, as on traditional mechanics.

By shifting the speed, the box turns off the transmission of torque from the engine to the box, transfers the transmission of torque to the desired shaft, and then turns on the transfer of energy from the engine to the box. And all this without the participation of the driver.

At first it may seem that this type of transmission has an advantage over conventional automatic transmissions, many of which do not allow drivers to change gears on their own, but in fact there are disadvantages that are in the operation of an automated manual transmission.

So there are problems with the speed and smoothness of the transmission. The problem is that these gearboxes take time to do the necessary steps in the correct order to shift without the clutch. Therefore, the whole process is too slow so as not to cause discomfort for passengers and the driver.

But, despite this, many drivers often note that cars with such boxes accelerate very slowly, which is associated with huge delays between gear changes.

Some drivers slightly lower the gas pedal to smooth the shifting process before changing the speed. But cars with traditional automatic and dual-clutch transmissions accelerate cars much faster and shift gears more smoothly.

The most famous designations for automated manual transmissions: Unofficially, this type of transmission is called semiautomatic, ASG, EGC and ETG.

Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) - CVT

The new generation is equipped with a variator, which allows the car to dynamically pick up speed, but the owners pay for this with a loud engine sound

The continuously variable transmission is not similar in design to any other transmission. In the variator, you will not find more than one spare part that is used in other types of gearboxes. The CVT uses two pairs of metal cones, each with pointed ends.

One set of cones are attached to the engine and the other two are attached to the wheels vehicle... A belt is stretched between these pairs of cones. The cones move towards each other, usually under computer control.

In modern variators, the design of the box allows using a computer to change the angle of the belt located between the two cones, which ultimately allows you to change the gear ratios.

It sounds strange, but in fact, such a design of the box allows you to constantly change the gear ratios, instead of using the fixed values \u200b\u200bset at the factory.

This means that the gear ratios can be adjusted infinitely, which allows the engine to run more efficiently when accelerating. In fact, there is no gear change when picking up speed, which creates the effect that the car accelerates without delay.

But as well as, in the operation of the variator there are also disadvantages.

For example, there is an annoying loud engine sound that is constantly running at high revs. That is, if your car is equipped with a variator, when accelerating, the engine speed will not fall, as it happens, for example, on automatic or manual transmissions (when changing to another gear, the engine speed decreases).

The most famous designations for continuously variable transmissions: E-CVT, CTV and Multitronic.

CVT and robot - two new and enough promising developments in the field of automatic transmissions. One is a kind of machine gun, the other is a mechanic. what better variator or a robot? Let's spend comparative characteristics of both transmissions, define their advantages and disadvantages and make right choice.

All about the device of the variator

- a kind of automatic transmission. It is designed to smoothly transfer torque from the engine to the wheels and continuously change the gear ratio in a fixed range.

Chain variator CVT

Often in the technical documentation for the car, you can find the abbreviation CVT as the designation for the gearbox. This is the variator, translated from English - "constantly changing transmission ratio" (Continuously Variable Transmission).

The main task of the variator is to provide a smooth change in torque from the engine, which makes the acceleration of the car smooth, without jerks and dips. Machine power is used to the maximum and fuel is consumed to a minimum.

Controlling the variator is practically the same as controlling an automatic transmission, with the exception of a stepless torque change.

Briefly about the types of CVT

1. V-belt variator. It is most widely used. This variator consists of a belt stretched between two sliding pulleys. The principle of operation of the V-belt variator consists in a smooth change in the gear ratio due to the synchronous change in the contact radii of the pulleys and the V-belt.
2. Chain variator. Less common. Here, the role of a belt is played by a chain that transmits a pulling force, not a pushing force.
3. Toroidal variator. The toroidal version of the transmission, consisting of discs and rollers, is also worthy of attention. The transfer of torque here is carried out due to the frictional force of the rollers between the discs, and the gear ratio changes by moving the rollers relative to the vertical axis.

Toroidal variator

The parts of a variator gearbox are expensive and difficult to obtain, and the gearbox itself will not be cheap, and problems may arise with its repair. The most expensive option would be a toroidal box, which requires high-strength steel and high precision machining of surfaces.

Advantages and disadvantages of a variator gearbox

Both the positive and negative aspects of the variator have already been mentioned in the text. For clarity, we present them in the table.

Benefits	disadvantages
1. Smooth car movement, stepless acceleration	1. The high cost of the box and its repair, expensive consumables and oil
2. Fuel savings by using the full potential of the engine
3. Simplicity and lower weight of the box in comparison with the classic automatic transmission	3. "Thoughtful effect" when changing gears (although, in comparison with a robot, the variator "slows down" less)
4. Ability to drive at maximum engine torque	4. Restrictions on installation on vehicles with high power engines

To prevent the device from letting down the driver during operation, the following conditions must be observed:

• monitor the oil level in the transmission and change it in time;
• do not load the box during the winter cold period at the beginning of the movement, when towing a car and while driving off-road;
• periodically check unit connectors and wiring for breaks;
• monitor the operation of the sensors: the absence of a signal from any of them can lead to incorrect operation of the box.

The CVT is a new and not yet optimized transmission system that has many drawbacks. Despite this, the developers and designers predict a great future for her. CVT is the simplest type of transmission in both technical device, and by the principle of work.

Despite the apparent advantages that provide fuel economy and driving comfort, the CVT is used today quite rarely and, mainly, in passenger cars or motorcycles. Let's see how things are with the robot.

Robotic transmission

(robot) – mechanical transmission, in which the gear shifting and clutch control functions are automated. This role is played by two drives, one of which is responsible for controlling the gearshift mechanism, the second for engaging and disengaging the clutch.

The robot is designed to combine the advantages of a manual transmission and an automatic machine. It combines driving comfort (from a machine), as well as reliability and fuel economy (from a mechanic).

The device and principle of operation of the robot

The main elements that make up robotic gearboxare:

• manual Transmission;
• clutch and clutch drive;
• gear shift drive;
• control block.

The principle of operation of the robot practically does not differ from the functioning of conventional mechanics. The difference lies in the control system. This is done in the robot by hydraulic and electric drives... Hydraulic elements provide fast shifting, but require additional resources. In electric drives, on the contrary, the costs are minimal, but delays in their operation are possible.

Robotic gearbox device

The robotic transmission can operate in two modes: automatic and semi-automatic. In automatic mode electronic control creates a certain control sequence for the box. The process is based on the signals from the input sensors. In semi-automatic (manual) mode, the gears are shifted sequentially using the shift lever. In some sources, a robotic transmission is called a "sequential gearbox" (from Latin sequensum - sequence).

Robot advantages and disadvantages

The robotic gearbox contains all the advantages of an automatic machine and mechanics. However, it cannot be said that it is devoid of disadvantages. These disadvantages include:

1. Difficulties with adaptation of the driver to the checkpoint and unpredictability of the robot's behavior in complex road conditions.
2. Uncomfortable city driving (abrupt starts, jerks and jerks when changing gears keep the driver in constant voltage).
3. Overheating of the clutch is also possible (in order to avoid overheating of the clutch, it is necessary to turn on the "neutral" mode at stops, which, in itself, is also tiresome).
4. "Thoughtful effect" when shifting gears (by the way, the CVT has the same minus). This not only irritates the driver, but also creates a dangerous situation when overtaking.
5. The impossibility of towing, which is also inherent in the variator.
6. The ability to roll the car backwards on a steep incline (this is not possible with a variator).

From the above, we conclude that a robotic gearbox is still far from the comfort of an automatic machine. Moving on to the positive aspects of robotic transmission:

1. Low cost in comparison with the same automatic or CVT.
2. Economical consumption fuel (here the mechanics are even inferior, but the variator is better in this regard: smooth and stepless shifting saves more fuel).
3. Rigid connection of the engine with the driving wheels, due to which it is possible to take the car out of a skid or to brake with the engine using gas.

Robot with two clutches

Due to the numerous disadvantages inherent in a robotic gearbox, the developers decided to go further and still implement the idea of \u200b\u200bcreating a gearbox that would combine all the advantages of an automatic machine and mechanics.

This is how the dual-clutch robot developed by Volkswagen was born. It got the name, which in English means "synchronized shift gearbox". Preselective transmission is another name for the second generation of robots.

The box is equipped with two clutch discs: one includes even gears, the other - odd ones. Both programs are always on. While the vehicle is moving, one clutch disc is always ready, and the other in a closed state. The first one will engage its transmission as soon as the second one opens. As a result, gear changes are almost instantaneous, and the smooth operation is comparable to a variator.

The double clutch box has the following characteristics:

• it is more economical than a machine;
• more comfortable than a simple robotic box;
• transmits more torque than a variator;
• provides the same rigid connection between the wheels and the engine as the mechanics.

On the other hand, the cost of this box will be higher than the cost of mechanics, and the consumption is higher than that of the robot. From the point of view of comfort, the variator and the automatic machine still win.

Drawing conclusions

What is the difference between a variator and a robot, and which of these gearboxes is still better? The variator is a kind of automatic transmission, and the robot is nevertheless closer to the mechanics. It is on this basis that it is worth making a choice in favor of a particular gearbox.

Transmission preferences are usually driven by the driver and are based on their requirements for the vehicle as well as their driving style. Are you looking for comfortable driving conditions? Then choose a variator. Do you prioritize reliability and the ability to ride in difficult road conditions? Your choice is definitely a robot.

Choosing a car, the driver must personally "test" both variants of boxes. It should be remembered that both the robot and the variator have their own advantages and disadvantages. The purpose for which it is planned to use the car will help to make the choice. In a calm urban rhythm, a variator will be preferable to a robot that simply will not "survive" in endless traffic jams. Outside the city, in difficult road conditions, when driving high speeds or for sports driving, a robot is preferable.

Usually one word “automatic” is understood as one of the three most popular types of transmission: classic automatic transmission, robotic or variator. It is impossible to say definitely which box is better, otherwise the manufacturers would not have come up with different designs. The choice depends on personal preference and goals of the motorist. Let's figure out what the differences are.

Classic

The oldest of the types automatic transmission is the so-called classic automatic, which Cadillac began to use back in the 30s of the last century. The role of the clutch, which connects the engine to the gearbox, is performed by the torque converter. For a long time, the machines were four-stage, and only in recent years modern cars began to be completed with eight- and nine-band boxes.

The advantages of the classic hydromechanical automatic transmission are quite smooth gear shifting and high reliability compared to other transmissions. Of course, apart from the good old mechanics - by this indicator, its simple design is beyond competition. Automatic machines, without the intervention of technicians, calmly live on average 150-200 thousand kilometers. Although, in terms of resource, units from different manufacturers may differ significantly. In most cases, problems can be solved by repairing a specific part in the mechanical part of the gearbox. In general, a hydromechanical machine is an expensive unit.

Engineers were pushed to create other boxes by shortcomings classic automatic transmissions... They cause an increased appetite and cannot boast of dizzying dynamics. Although with the development of complex designs and technologies, the difference is less and less significant, nevertheless, other things being equal, it is.

Fast and complex

To solve the problems of the machine, a robotic transmission was called upon. Without going into details, the robot is structurally the same mechanics, only with an automated clutch and gear shifting. Due to the simplified mechanism, such boxes are lighter and take up less space, which made it possible to install them even on a small car like the Fiat 500 or Opel corsa... An important plus - cars with robots are less likely to call in to gas stations.

However, simple robots with one clutch per inexpensive cars have an annoying effect - constant delays, jerks and jerks when switching, which is especially troublesome in traffic jams. Over time, engineers solved an unpleasant design feature by creating a preselective robot. The most famous is DSG from volkswagen concern... In fact, these are two boxes with two clutches. One includes even transmissions, the other includes odd transmissions. As a result, it was possible to achieve very fast and precise gear changes without interrupting power, without creating any discomfort for the driver.

In complex robotic boxes of sports cars, such as Ferrari or Lamborghini, the transition to the highest level occurs in hundredths (!) Of a second. Many manufacturers indicate the acceleration time to hundreds on cars with an advanced robot, even less than with mechanics. It's just that a person cannot get ahead of this perfect technique.

Convenience, dynamics, efficiency - a great combination. It is not for nothing that preselective robots are currently considered the most optimal type of automatic transmission. However, they have a tangible disadvantage that many drivers cannot accept. The intricate design makes almost any box repair an expensive undertaking. And the reliability of robots raises questions for many brands.

No steps

Variators are generally a separate direction. By and large, this is not a gearbox, because there are no gears at all in the transmission. We will not go into details about the change gear ratios due to the rotation of the belt on the pulleys. Let's just say that the special design allows the car to continuously transmit torque to the wheels, and therefore gain speed extremely smoothly. No jerks or jerks. However, the medal has back side... During dynamic acceleration, the motor "freezes" at a certain speed, which creates the effect of a trolleybus. The engine hums noisily and monotonously. Over time, this flaw different manufacturers eliminate. Modern continuously variable transmissions are able to imitate the work of a classic automatic machine so cleverly that the average person will not understand. But this is purely a matter of acoustic comfort.

The undoubted advantage of cars with a variator is fuel efficiency. In the passport data, the fuel consumption is often indicated lower than on the same cars with mechanics. But, unfortunately, the variators are quite capricious. They cannot be overheated and overloaded with high power, they do not operate at peak loads and cannot stand long slipping in snow or mud. Therefore, such transmissions are not found on trucks or sports cars. In addition, CVTs require lean maintenance, including frequent replacement good oil... Often they are unsuitable for repair, and after the expiration of their service life - about 150 thousand kilometers - the variator is changed. And this is not cheap because of the complex design.

Choosing a car is a long and troublesome business. After all, you need to decide on the class, manufacturer, specific model. Another very important question arises before many car owners - which gearbox to choose? At the moment, the choice is quite wide: the simplest automatic machine has become an alternative to the usual mechanics. But for a long time, two fundamentally different options entered the market: robot and variator... And if almost every boy knows about the first two, then about the latter there is many questions... The choice, of course, should be based on personal preference and the demands of the driver who will have to pedal and shift gears. Each car enthusiast has his own style, his own priorities and goals, his own driving style, which determines the final choice. For example, harsh lover start and racing on the road (and off-road) will not give up the usual mechanical box... He presses the pedals "automatically" without thinking about his actions. And not a single automatic machine or variator will allow him to achieve the desired result. But people who are tired of constantly changing gears, getting into traffic jams, will gladly give this "right" automatic box... So the choice between mechanics and automatic is quite obvious. But what about the rest of the options? How to determine which is better: a CVT or an automatic transmission?

CVT or automatic machine: which is more reliable?

This question worries many drivers, because in the event of a breakdown and the need for repairs, car owners will have to pay a considerable amount of money. Only experienced mechanics who professionally repair automatic transmissions can fix the problem on their own. Such high complexity of workof course leads to significant cost, incomparable with the price of repairing a manual transmission. But such an item as reliability requires a special attitude towards itself. First you need to decide what the variator is, what is its exclusivity.

The difference between the variator and the machine

Habitual Automatic transmission noticeably makes life easier for the drivereliminating the clutch pedal and the need to manually switch to new gear... This (far from the most pleasant process) is handled by smart electronics, so the car owner only needs to switch between the desired modes in time, and control the brake and gas pedal. Nevertheless, the gears are switched, the number of steps starts from four and can go up to eight. The transition between them is as smooth as possible, but it is still felt.

Variable speed drive also has unlimited number of "speeds", it is simply impossible to count them. Difference between the variator and the automatic machine is primarily that the variator has no gearsto be switched. Gear ratios change constantly as construction consists of two pulleysbetween which the belt rotates. Of course, such a description simplifies as much as possible the real structure of this complex apparatus. The strength of the belt is very high, because it consists of small metal plates and looks more like a chain. In this case, there can be no question of any gear change. The variator independently selects the optimal position of the belt, which explains the rapid change in the gear ratio.

If you do not know how to distinguish a variator from an automatic machine, then simply take a ride in the car... Gear shifting (even the smoothest) will be felt. This is especially noticeable at the moment of acceleration. But variable speed drive characterized by incredible soft ride without jerking. You can also notice a faster acceleration due to the fact that the variator does not need to spend time shifting gears.

It is very difficult to compare the reliability of these devices. It is worth noting the fact that the variator is controlled by a large number of different sensorstherefore, the probability of breakage is much lower. But even if at least one sensor fails, others may follow. Also automatic transmission repair will cost lessthan repairing the variator. There are many reasons for this, but the main one is the small number of qualified specialists.

How does a robot differ from an automatic machine and a variator?

The robotic gearbox returns drivers to the already well-known mechanical gearbox. It is very similar to its predecessor, but differs in that computer takes over control... Of course, you won't find clutch pedals here either. The automatic machine and the variator suggest a greater number of sensors and options for monitoring the car using electronics. If you decide that better robot or a variator, then you need to proceed from a specific situation. For example, drivers accustomed to a harsh driving style and machine control, quickly exhaust the resources of the robot... The clutch assembly already carries a heavy load, fast acceleration and sharp braking will lead to breakdowns... However, repairing such a box will only cost a little more than a mechanical one.

Variator: pros and cons

There are certain advantages and disadvantages of this type of gearbox. Some of them are subjective, but others deserve special attention when choosing a car.

pros:

1. Smooth running without jerking and shifting sensations.
2. Fuel economy.
3. Low noise level.
4. Fast acceleration.

Minuses:

1. Very expensive repair, a small number of professionals who understand this type of gearbox.
2. Many sensors that control the operation of the variator. If one fails, the entire system may go astray, which will lead to serious damage.
3. The variator is rarely installed on cars with powerful engine.
4. You will need a special expensive liquid that is suitable only for certain car brands.

You can also note the fact that the variator does not allow the car to emit a roar during acceleration. Electronics and electrics monitor the condition of the vehicle, avoiding high revs.

When buying a car, both new and used, every motorist will certainly think about which one is better to choose. Indeed, the choice of gearbox is a very important point. After all, each of us wants to ride comfortably and agilely, and at the same time have minimum fuel consumption. Therefore, it is worth considering the issue of choosing a gearbox in detail and in advance, giving it time. Studying this issue will significantly save your nerves and money in the future.

In this article we will talk about what a gearbox is, what is its purpose, what types of gearboxes are, the advantages and disadvantages of each type, and we will answer the question of how to make the right choice? We will talk about this professionally, but in an accessible way so that you, regardless of the level of technical training, can understand the essence of the issue and decide which transmission will suit you personally.

We all live in a constant lack of time. That is why we have done a great job of collecting and analyzing the necessary information on this issue, and have prepared this material for you.

Watch video about MCP and AKP

WHAT IS A GEARBOX? ITS PURPOSE

Manual Transmission

The torque converter gearbox is the most common transmission in the world today. The torque converter is not part of the gearbox, it acts as a clutch. When high revs at speed, it is blocked by a clutch, which allows. The torque converter perfectly dampens vibrations, increasing the resource of the engine and transmission.

The torque in the torque converter gearboxes is transmitted using transmission oilcirculating in a closed circle under high pressure. The valve body is responsible for gear shifting, which in modern models controlled by electronics. This allows the transmission to operate in different modes: economy, standard or sport.

The mechanical part of the torque converter automatic transmission is maintainable and reliable enough. The most vulnerable point is the valve body (blows when switching indicate malfunctioning valves). Transformer oil is of great importance, although today there are already automatic boxes that do not require replacement.

Driving performance is highly dependent on the control electronics (brains). Smoothness of shifting, dynamics and fuel economy largely depend on the number of transmission gears (from four-speed to eight-speed automatic gearbox).

Torque converter automatic transmissions are equipped with Insignia, Meriva, Mazda 3, 5, 6, Peugeot and Citroen C4, C5, 308, 3008.

1. Convenience of control and comfort: it drives itself, switches itself, there is no need to select the desired gear;
2. The automatic transmission is capable of changing gears at full engine power;
3. When starting off on a flat surface, there is no rolling;
4. Thanks to the torque converter, the engine and chassis are protected from breakdowns and overloads due to unprofessional engagement of gears, which increases their resource;
5. A car with automatic transmission is equipped with a system passive safety, preventing the independent movement of a car on an uneven ground.

1. Higher fuel consumption compared to mechanics and lower efficiency due to losses in the transformer. Although, in some driving modes, modern automatic gearboxes achieve higher efficiency thanks to intelligent control;
2. Higher price;
3. Higher cost of repair and maintenance;
4. Worse dynamics, jerks at the start (not on all models);
5. Delays in gear shifting;
6. Starts only with a starter;
7. When starting off on a slope, the vehicle rolls back.

There is a simple robotic mechanics and advanced.

Simple robotic mechanics (MTA) is a structural mechanic and an automatic control. Those. manual gearbox, in which gears are changed by a robot (electronics). Hence, there is no clutch pedal. When changing gears, a break in the torque flow occurs, as a result, dips during acceleration are noticeable.

The box weighs less than a classic machine and costs less. Typically installed on inexpensive models... It is possible to shift gears in manual mode. The simplest low-cost robot with one clutch (Alfa Romeo, Toyota, Opel, Suzuki) spends 1-2 seconds on switching.

An improved type of transmission that came from sport is a preselective gearbox. This is a robotic mechanics with two clutches and direct engagement. One clutch serves the even gears, the other the odd gears. Acceleration is smooth and fast, switching occurs in a split second. This type of transmission combines the dynamics and economy of an MT with the convenience of a classic automatic transmission.

Each manufacturer has its own name for an advanced robot, the most common of which is DSG from Volkswagen. Some models with a preselective gearbox: Volkswagen Golf DSG, Audi A4TDI S-Tronic, SeatIbiza 1.6 DSG, etc.

1. High efficiency: robots are more economical than mechanics or on the same level with it;
2. The robot is cheaper than the automatic transmission;
3. It is lightweight;
4. Some car models are equipped with paddle shifters that allow you to change gears very quickly. Consequently, the car has excellent dynamics.

1. The moments of switching are very noticeable, the smoothness of work leaves much to be desired;
2. Delay in gear shifting;
3. Jerks and jerks when switching;
4. Small rollback at the beginning of the movement;
5. At each stop from a few seconds, the robot requires switching off to neutral;
6. Doesn't like slipping.

In general, first generation robotic transmissions have more disadvantages than advantages. As for the preselective boxes, they also have their disadvantages: a complex design, high cost of the unit and its repair.

CVT automatic transmission

The rise in fuel prices, concern for the environment and the need for more comfort led to the emergence of a variable speed automatic transmission. A variator (CVT) is a continuously variable transmission in which there are no gears as such. The variator consists of two pairs of tapered pulleys (leading and driven), between which the belt rotates along a variable radius. The gear ratios change constantly, regardless of the acceleration or deceleration of the car. This ensures absolute smooth operation of the gearbox, complete comfort and the absence of any shocks and jolts. True, in some models there is an imitation of gears (tiptronic), which switches the operating modes of the variator.

CVTs are equipped with appropriate microelectronics (control system). The control computer analyzes all driving conditions, selects a more suitable gear ratio and coordinates the actions of the transmission and engine.

Examples of cars with a CVT: Renault Scenic 2.0, Mitsubishi lancer 1.8, Audi A4 2.0 Multitronic.

1. The engine runs optimally all the time;
2. Maximum level of comfort and smoothness of movement;
3. Economy (average fuel consumption: more than manual transmission, less than automatic);
4. Dynamic acceleration;
5. Simple construction;
6. Fast work (no time wasted on gear shifting. During acceleration, the peak torque is reached immediately, thus providing maximum acceleration of the vehicle).

1. High price;
2. Expensive repairs and maintenance;
3. Strongly dislikes slipping;
4. Incompatibility with a powerful engine due to the fragility of the belts;
5. Additional mechanisms are required for reversing and starting;
6. The variator is afraid of overheating, therefore, for operation, a special, very expensive oil is needed with the need to change every 50-60,000 km of run. After 100,000, belt replacement is usually required;
7. In the first models of cars with a variator, there is a monotonous hum of the engine, which is psychologically difficult to withstand;
8. Less dynamics compared to manual transmission.

WHICH GEARBOX TO CHOOSE?

Obviously, there is no perfect gearbox. If you are an active driver, love maneuvers and speed, a mechanic or a robot is for you. If you want comfort in the city, but often get out of the city not only on the highway, an SUV with a traditional hydromechanical automatic transmission will suit you. A simple robot will suit a calm driver who chooses economy and smooth roads... The variator is good for lovers of comfort and maximum smoothness.

So, the choice of gearbox depends entirely on your personal priorities. Decide what is more important to you: dynamics, price, efficiency or comfort? And make your right choice.

• news
• Workshop

Research: car exhaust is not a major air pollutant

According to the participants of the Milan Energy Forum, more than half of CO2 emissions and 30% of harmful solid particles enter the air not at all due to engine operation. internal combustionand because of the heating of the housing stock, reports La Repubblica. Currently, in Italy 56% of buildings are classified in the lowest ecological class G, moreover ...

Roads in Russia: even children could not stand it. Photo of the day

The last time this site, located in a small town in the Irkutsk region, was repaired 8 years ago. The children, whose names are not named, decided to fix this problem on their own so that they could ride bicycles, reports the UK24 portal. The reaction of the local administration to the photo, which has already become a real hit on the network, has not been reported. ...

The regions of Russia with the oldest cars are named

At the same time, the youngest car fleet is listed in the Republic of Tatarstan (average age - 9.3 years), and the oldest - in the Kamchatka Territory (20.9 years). Such data in its research are provided by the analytical agency "Autostat". As it turned out, apart from Tatarstan, only two Russian regions have an average age passenger cars less...

Helsinki will ban personal cars

In order to make such an ambitious plan a reality, the Helsinki authorities intend to create the most convenient system in which the boundaries between personal and by public transport will be erased, reports Autoblog. Sonia Heikkilä, a transport specialist at the Helsinki City Hall, said that the essence of the new initiative is quite simple: the citizens should have ...

Limousine for the president: more details revealed

The website of the Federal Patent Service continues to be the only open source of information about the "car for the president." First, NAMI patented industrial models of two cars - a limousine and a crossover, which are part of the "Cortege" project. Then the namishniki registered an industrial design called "Car dashboard" (most likely, namely ...

GMC SUV turned into a sports car

hennessey Performance has always been famous for its ability to generously add extra horses to a "pumped" car, but this time the Americans were clearly being modest. GMC Yukon Denali could turn into a real monster, fortunately, that the 6.2-liter "eight" allows you to do this, but Hennessey minders limited themselves to a rather modest "bonus", increasing the engine power ...

Video of the day: electric car gains 100 km / h in 1.5 seconds

An electric car called the Grimsel was able to accelerate from zero to 100 km / h in 1.513 seconds. The achievement was recorded on the runway of the air base in Dubendorf. The Grimsel is an experimental vehicle developed by students from the Swiss Higher Technical School of Zurich and the University of Applied Sciences Lucerne. The car is made to participate ...

The traffic police published new exam tickets

However, the traffic police decided today to publish on its website new exam tickets for categories "A", "B", "M" and subcategories "A1", "B1". Recall that the main change that awaits candidates for drivers from September 1, 2016 concerns the fact that the theoretical exam will become more difficult (and therefore, tickets must be studied more carefully). If now ...

A car without an engine and a roof was stolen in St. Petersburg

According to Fontanka.ru, a businessman contacted the police and said that a green GAZ M-20 Pobeda was stolen from the yard of his house on Energetikov Avenue, which was released back in 1957 and had Soviet numbers. According to the victim, the car did not have an engine with a roof at all and was intended for restoration. Who Needed a Car ...

Mercedes will release a mini-Gelenevagen: new details

New model, designed to become an alternative to the sleek Mercedes-Benz GLA, will receive a brutal appearance in the style of Gelenevagen - Mercedes-Benz G-class... The German edition Auto Bild managed to find out new details about this model. So, if you believe inside information, then the Mercedes-Benz GLB will have an angular design. On the other hand, complete ...