2007 Nissan Altima's 517-year old transmission
It should come as no surprise that, in 1490, Leonardo da Vinci first conceptualized and made a sketch showing how to transmit power from one shaft to another steplessly, without conventional gears. While it certainly is not a new technology, having been used in many automobile, tractor, snowmobile, and industrial applications, Nissan has spent considerable time and engineering effort to make it work -- especially with high-torque applications like its 3.5L V6. Who knew a steel belt between two computer-controlled pulleys could feel so sporty and responsive?
Our 2007 Nissan Altima features the company's most evolved version of the continuously variable transmission (CVT), and I, for one, am converted. The latest "Xtronic" CVT in our '07 Altima has erased my previous disdain for this type of gearless transmission. Often, CVTs feel slow-to-react, rubbery once they do, and are usually accompanied by a seemingly unnecessary high engine rpm. Not so with the 2007 Nissan CVT. This is the first time I'd actually prefer a CVT to a conventional "slush box" automatic. Even with 6-, 7-, and now 8-speed automatic transmissions available, there comes a time when discrete gears seem so 15th century. Sure, eight ratios is a bunch to handle a wide array of driving situations, but an infinite number would seem better, right?
Also, I've begun to notice that most current automatics are hyper vigilant and are always looking for the first opportunity to get to top gear to conserve fuel. That's annoying because it's not uncommon to be coasting along at say, 50 mph when you see an opening in traffic, squeeze the accelerator only to wait for the automatic to downshift from 6th, to 5th, to 4th. Then the engine revs up and you get that forward/backward whiplash feeling. The Altima's CVT reacts quickly, (almost) without that momentary forward g-load, and with what feels like the correct engine rpm. The revs simply rise and the acceleration you wanted a moment ago is suddenly "there." Credit Nissan's clever software that controls the transmission and reduces the associated annoyances while increasing both performance and economy. For this car and this application, I'm sold.
Just like VW/Audi's double-clutch Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG), Nissan/Infiniti's CVT is poised to make conventional automatic transmissions a thing of the past. Are we ready?
Chris Walton, Senior Road Test Editor
3,439 miles
- Permalink | Comments (15)
- Posted by: Chris Walton February 28, 2007, 10:28 AM
- Categories: 2007 Nissan Altima SE
It's a shame the CVT makes the new 3.5 Altima slower and less efficient on the highway, though, than the previous generation and its five-speed automatic. It'll take some improvements to sell me on CVTs when competitors like the Camry with its six-speed automatic best the Altima +CVT to 60, through the 1/4 mile, and get better mileage to boot.
Hmm. I just did a little research and found that this Altima with a CVT effectively tied an '05 SE-R (with 5A) and a V6 XLE Camry to sixty mph. Check this link for the Altima SE-R test and this one for a V6 Sedan Comparison Test. I think they've ironed out the wrinkles. --CW
I wonder why no one else can get CVTs right, just Nissan. Good for them.
I agree - I prefer Nissan's CVT over regular automatics. Although my first preferrence is a traditional manual transmission.
The CVT may not necessarily be worse for mileage (if not necessarily better). Keep in mind that the re-designed Altima probably gained a few pounds in its re-do. I really like how richer the cabin looks by the way! Now Nissan, time to stop being Porsche-like (aka lazy) in your exterior designs!
There have been so many problems with various CVT's so far that now they have to prove it to me before I'll buy one. When I start 10 year old examples that are still working fine, then I'll believe they have the bugs worked out.
Even still it all seems like a lot of work (and money) to accomplish what a manual does with ease.
Impressive - I've driven several other CVT-equipped vehicles and usually walked away disappointed. "Not an enthusiast's choice" I'd think. I drove an Audi A4 3.0 "Multitronic" through a slalom course and really didn't like it. Fine for every day use probably, but not under max performance, unlike its competitors with conventional automatics. I've been hearing very good things about Nissan's new CVT though, such as this post, and I want to give one a try now!
Chris - Did you watch that DaVinci show about man and machine on Discovery Channel?
orangutan, Nissan specifically designed this CVT to be slower than the last gen.
In their press releases about the CVT, they specifically stated they chose driving feel over 0-60 time, so that you feel a nice ramp up of acceleration for a longer time. It feels more fun like this.
Few people would actually experience a 0-60 time. It's unecessary to build a sporty car around 0-60. Especially one not designed for the track.
That sounds like a lame copout for the new car performing worse than the old one, billt9.
And sddoc07: the new Altima is actually smaller and more aerodynamic than the previous one. It gained about 100 pounds and lost 2 miles/gallon on the highway at the same time? To me all this points to the transmission being mismatched with the 3.5.
orangutan, the 07 Altima 3.5SE is also rated at 270 hp/258 lb-ft versus 250 hp/249 lb-ft for an '06 3.5SE (260/251 for the SE-R). Fuel economy also gains 2 mpg in the EPA city cycle. Does anyone know if the 07's EPA ratings are using the new methodology? If so, you can't really compare the new ratings with the previous. Keep in mind too the 3.5 VQ engine was substantially changed for 2007 (I think Nissan said it's 85% new or something) so the power curve may be substantially different.
2007 mileage estimates can be done either with the new or the old standards; it's left up to the manufacturers. As far as the VQ, the "85% new" applies only to the VQ35HR, not the DE used in the Altima and Maxima. Concerning the power difference, they also increased the power of the QR25DE and, when paired with the same CVT, gets much better mileage than with the archaic four-speed automatic in the previous generation. I just don't think this CVT is a good match for the VQ35.
keep in mind the there was a new SAE standard for measuring horsepower and this decreased HP numbers across the board
i just have a question on the CVT manual mode, how many speed can it go up to, 5 or 6 ?
I drove four different Versa models today.I manual 1.6; 1 auto 1.6 a 1.8 sedan with auto trans and a 1.8 hatchback with the cvt transmission.The cvt was most impressive one of the lot and the most expensive.If the cvt transmission turns out to be as durable as the conventional auto;then I think Nissan has something.Not sure if the 3yr 36K warrenty is enough to satisfy my reluctance to take a chance.I really liked the cvt;just question it's longevity