Thought I'd share some of the info found searching the web for the Xtronic Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT) used in the MO.
Although it's not the Xtronic, the JATCO toroidal is the "Nissan Xtroid". Here is an interesting read on the maker of both CVT's, namely JATCO. Unfortunately their site provides a lot of detail on the toroidal CVT but not the Xtronic.
A white paper was presented at the Japan Society Of Automotive Engineers on the JATCO belt drive CVT3 designed for a front wheel car with 3.5L ie MO. But I can't find the actual document! There are also a few interesting reads at the Engineering Tips Forums.
My original objective was to find HorsePower or Torque ratings on the MOs CVT. Unfortunately I never found it. I'm not looking to improve the HP on the Murano. I am just curious about the CVT. No engineer ever designs without margin, at least not for very long. I'm just wondering how much margin. From my research, the change in the belt and cone materials and most importantly the fluid led to the development of the JATCO CVT3. Fascinating stuff.
Nissan is being careful not to over emphasize the CVT in their marketing of the Murano even though they have spent lots of money in the development of the technology over a couple decades, have used it for years in "foreign" markets, and some racing. I believe the reluctance is not due to the engineering, I believe it's due to the "American Market". Our reluctance to embrace new ideas, especially given the Subaru experience. We tend to not let the facts get in the way, urban legends are much more important after all.
Although it's not the Xtronic, the JATCO toroidal is the "Nissan Xtroid". Here is an interesting read on the maker of both CVT's, namely JATCO. Unfortunately their site provides a lot of detail on the toroidal CVT but not the Xtronic.
A white paper was presented at the Japan Society Of Automotive Engineers on the JATCO belt drive CVT3 designed for a front wheel car with 3.5L ie MO. But I can't find the actual document! There are also a few interesting reads at the Engineering Tips Forums.
My original objective was to find HorsePower or Torque ratings on the MOs CVT. Unfortunately I never found it. I'm not looking to improve the HP on the Murano. I am just curious about the CVT. No engineer ever designs without margin, at least not for very long. I'm just wondering how much margin. From my research, the change in the belt and cone materials and most importantly the fluid led to the development of the JATCO CVT3. Fascinating stuff.
Nissan is being careful not to over emphasize the CVT in their marketing of the Murano even though they have spent lots of money in the development of the technology over a couple decades, have used it for years in "foreign" markets, and some racing. I believe the reluctance is not due to the engineering, I believe it's due to the "American Market". Our reluctance to embrace new ideas, especially given the Subaru experience. We tend to not let the facts get in the way, urban legends are much more important after all.