Multitronic - displayed (explained) in all its glory
03-26-2002, 08:19 AM
#11
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heres an explanation........
multitronic is whats called a continuously variable transmission (CVT). its called that, obviously, because it can continuously vary the gear ratios during acceleration to keep the engine in the optimum rpm range. it achieves this by changing ratios as described in the original post.
what they did with multitronic is PRESET 6 gear ratios. (ex., 1st- 6.08:1, 2nd- 4.08:1, etc....) what this means is in multitronic mode it will feel exactly like a regular automatic transmission, rather than varying the ratios like it does in "D" mode.
in "D" mode is where its continuously variable, in multitronic mode it is essentially an automatic, for all intents and purposes (minus the torque converter and such).
get it?
what they did with multitronic is PRESET 6 gear ratios. (ex., 1st- 6.08:1, 2nd- 4.08:1, etc....) what this means is in multitronic mode it will feel exactly like a regular automatic transmission, rather than varying the ratios like it does in "D" mode.
in "D" mode is where its continuously variable, in multitronic mode it is essentially an automatic, for all intents and purposes (minus the torque converter and such).
get it?
03-26-2002, 08:20 AM
#13
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I just looked a snowmobile which works that same way
It uses a belt and is not enclosed - you can see how it works. I wondered why they don't use that technology in cars. I guess they do 
03-26-2002, 08:23 AM
#16
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why not?.........
its quite cool technology really, and this is the first performance application of a CVT. the benefits are many. it offers the "convenience" of automatic shifting, mixed with the pleasure of manual shifting and WITHOUT the usual automatic drawbacks like lower mileage and slower acceleration. from everything i hear, the CVT version is as fast or faster than a 6-speed manual version.
if i were in the market, id REALLY consider it if it came with quattro.
if i were in the market, id REALLY consider it if it came with quattro.
03-26-2002, 08:24 AM
#17
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They don't use it in cars much because the chain or belt is hard to maintain
for higher power levels without snapping. The Audi version with that chain you see is much more robust than the standard belt driven models like what you probably saw on the snowmobile, but it still only rates to like 230 ft-lbs of torque or so without going boom (technical term)
03-26-2002, 08:35 AM
#19
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you could chip a 1.8T with CVT, the tranny used on the tips is only rated 230ft/lbs
as is the CVT, and there is certainly no problems with just a chip on a tip. It pushes you above 230 ft/lbs by about 10 ft/lbs, but that's not much. I wouldn't be very inclided to do that on a brand new design CVT unless I knew my dealership wasn't going to give me hassles about my chip. Perhaps I'd go with someone like AMS/Abt who tunes their tiptronic/auto chips differently than their manual chips as so they don't exceed the rated specs of the tranny. Then you'd know you would be within the torq limits
03-26-2002, 08:53 AM
#20
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I hear you. I wouldn't want to do it on a new design CVT either. Definitely would only go with
a company that designed the chip with the tranny in mind.
The only thing is that when I torque out my tranny right now, it let's go a bit to compensate, but on a CVT I'm not sure how it'd do that, with the wet clutch and all. I'd hate to see what happens when that chain snaps 8-P
The only thing is that when I torque out my tranny right now, it let's go a bit to compensate, but on a CVT I'm not sure how it'd do that, with the wet clutch and all. I'd hate to see what happens when that chain snaps 8-P