I have just done a search on drivethedeal.com and autobytel, to check on the price of the CVT version of these cars, and there are none listed.
Anyone provide an explanation for this? There seems to have been problems with the supply of the CVT ever since it was launched.
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They are probably having problems with it. GM have had a CVT plant in Hungary for several years, but I have yet to see its products (unless anyone knows different?). AFAIK the only people making **reliable** CVT's are Fuji in Japan (who supply the key drivetrain components to Nissan, Honda etc).
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The Audi A4 multitronic is CVT (double chains or some such)and drives like a dream, just tried a 1.8T avant.
I tried to find a c-max with auto but they seem very rare.
In fact i am looking for a new car and need auto after a bad back
problem. I need help and will post elsewhere!
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Channel4.com/4car rated the 2.0 TDCi mated to a manual gearbox but this is what they had to say about the 1.6 TDCi with CVT:
"We wouldn't recommend the 1.6-litre TDCi when mated to Ford's CVT continuously variable automatic gearbox. Its step-off from standstill is painfully lethargic, particularly when cold. The CVT's fully automatic mode shifts up and down laboriously, which makes for frustrating speed changes. There are seven pre-set ratios, which are easier to use, but if you're using them, you may as well have a normal auto 'box or perhaps even a manual."
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I have just done a search on drivethedeal.com and autobytel, to check on the price of the CVT version of these cars, and there are none listed.
When I last looked in January, the TDCi CVT was not on Ford's UK price list for either the Focus or the C-Max. It's still not listed there, but it is Ford's German price list.
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It is odd that the Channel 4 programme didn't rate the CVT, as everyone I have spoken to that has driven one said it was wonderful to drive.
I do believe that HJ was impressed with it too. Perhaps you can confirm one way or another HJ?
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According to Sat telegraph(HJ section i think) they now do a 2.0 with CVT
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IIRC the 2.0 is a conventional Auto, the 1.6 is CVT.
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What they printed was "Ford now makes the C-MAX with 2.0 litre petrol five-speed torque converter auto and 1.6 litre diesel CVT." No confusion there, unless I'm just plain wrong. But does anyone know if the 7-ratio CVT in the C-Max is the same as in the Mercedes A Class and B Class?
HJ
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What they printed was "Ford now makes the C-MAX with 2.0 litre petrol five-speed torque converter auto and 1.6 litre diesel CVT."
But are they going to resume selling the CVT version in the UK?
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As Mercedes make their own autoboxes I was under the impression their CVT box was made by them as well.
Have you had any feedback as to whether its any good as I have seen several A Class & B Class on the roads & they look very impressive.
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The Merc CVT is the WFC280 - a 280Nm CVT made by Mercedes (or more correctly DaimlerChrysler). Much of the development work was done by Mercedes engineers in Stuttgart with input from Van Doorne Transmissie (who supply push belts and variator technoloy to most of the CVT makers), Bosch and ZF Friedrichshafen. Ricardo did the benchmarking and acceptance testing.
I currently have a technical paper on my desk entitled (in German) "Reliability as the deciding factor in the acceptance of the Ford C-Max CVT". Draw your own conclusions from that.
Personally I still have grave doubts about CVT's and I don't think they are nice to drive with.
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Aprilia
Thanks for the update. My own experience of owning a Ford Orion with a CVT many years ago makes me wonder why Ford have perservered with this type of gearbox.
What worries me is that other car makers are jumping on the CVT bandwagon, especially the Japanese.
Are Japanese CVT's any better than their European counterparts or are they all the same in terms of driveability/reliability.
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Aprilia Thanks for the update. My own experience of owning a Ford Orion with a CVT many years ago makes me wonder why Ford have perservered with this type of gearbox. What worries me is that other car makers are jumping on the CVT bandwagon, especially the Japanese. Are Japanese CVT's any better than their European counterparts or are they all the same in terms of driveability/reliability.
Similar to drive, but more reliable.
Most European CVT major components (push-belt & variators) are supplied via Van Doorne Transmissie. Japanese CVT major components come from Fuji (who own Subaru brand) - the Fuji stuff seems to be more durable.
The Nissan 'Extroid' CVT technology seems to be about the best so far, certainly in terms of torque capacity relative to transmission volume.
Ford have a very bad history with CVT - you'd be brave to buy one of those with your own money.
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I always remember a few years back at an NEC car show a chat I had with a ZF transmissions bloke on their stand.
We were talking about the then 6 speed auto box due to appear on the 7 series "Bangle BMW."
I mentioned CVT'S and he remarked about a test drive in a Ford Orion with this transmission. When he selected Drive, the car shot backwards!
And yet Ford still perservere with this transmission.
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