The Elio Automatic Transmission

[goofyone]

I stumbled onto this comparison of AMT, AT, and CVT econoboxes just a moment ago.

http://overdrive.in/reviews/maruti-celerio-amt-vs-honda-brio-at-vs-nissan-micra-cvt-in-india/

I think the first part of the article may be found interesting by folks following this thread.

wr

Thanks, this is very good information to have! This answers exactly why Elio Motors would be interested in this AMT as it is much less expensive and more fuel efficient than either the CVT or AT.

These savings do apparently come at the expensive of some jerky upshifts, not surprising for an AMT focused on fuel efficiency, however apparently how you drive it does make a difference and there are ways to drive it smoothly which is good to know for anyone wanting or needing the automatic. It sounds like the AMT runs smoothly if you drive it like a manual in terms of easing on the throttle while in traffic and lifting off the throttle to upshift while accelerating. I think many people can adapt to this if it means better fuel efficiency at a lower price.

 

[MajorXx]

A vehicle with a fully manual transmission will not roll when left in gear and the clutch petal is released as it has to spin the motor. It appears that AMT transmissions do not have the traditional PARK found in the automatic transmission. I assume the AMT clutches will be disengaged when the Elio is turned off and this would require the parking brake to be used every time. Is this the case or are there other options?

 

[goofyone]

A vehicle with a fully manual transmission will not roll when left in gear and the clutch petal is released as it has to spin the motor. It appears that AMT transmissions do not have the traditional PARK found in the automatic transmission. I assume the AMT clutches will be disengaged when the Elio is turned off and this would require the parking brake to be used every time. Is this the case or are there other options?

From reading the article above it appears that using the parking brake is indeed the recommended course of action. I do however wonder if the AMT also allows for leaving the vehicle in gear just like a traditional manual.

 

[Darrell]

It looks like to me like the Suzuki Celerio with the AMT costs about $615 more than the manual.

 

[skygazer6033]

I could live with $615. No reason I can see for the clutch to be any different than a motorcycle wet clutch. Springs holding the clutch in the engaged mode so I could be left parked in low or reverse in addition to the parking brake.

 

[dgruis]

AMT vs CVT vs GETUFE vs PSOTAAAD?
AMT and CVT appear to be technological advancements over the old

• GETUFE (Grind-em-'til-u-find-'em) manual transmissions
• PSOTAAD (Power-Sucking-Oil-Throwing-At-A-Disc) automatic transmissions

In 2.5 years, I have over 110,000 mi. on my smart with AMT.

• Sure it shifts slowly, if you "think" it is an automatic.
• Sure it shifts more smoothly and quickly when you shift manually you "remember" it is a manual.
• Some believe computers do NOT exist; whereas, I 'think' computers exist.
• Shifting is not a compleg x mechanical movement that requires the critical-complex thinking ability of the human brain.
• Shifting is a robotic type movement which computers handle well.
• As a kid, I had ground-the-gears while shifting a few times. My smart computer has NEVER acted like I had a GETUFE transmission.

I love the AMT in my non-aerodynamic smart.

• When I want to drive more quickly (i.e., city traffic), I shift manually
• When I want the best mpg (i.e., highway), I let the computer shift for me, so I can use the cruise control and sleep.
• "Assuming" manual-mode would be more fuel efficient than auto-mode I have checked multiple times.
  • Shifting manually I have averaged 38-39 mpg.
  • Allowing the computer to shift I have averaged 41-43 mpg.

I will only question Elio engineers' choice of transmission(s) if it is so rough that it causes me to drop the car battery from my teeth.

 

[BlioKart]

I like the AMT system in my head its like a tiny Ferrari. As much as I like the concept I think i still will get the normal manual. I can shift it just as smooth plus you really can feel a car better when its manual. The one difference I see from the Suzuki and the Elio is 600lbs lighter that may help the feel of the AMT.

my choice is 95% manual and only 5% for the AMT in my head.

 

[dgruis]

I like the AMT system in my head its like a tiny Ferrari. As much as I like the concept I think i still will get the normal manual. I can shift it just as smooth plus you really can feel a car better when its manual. The one difference I see from the Suzuki and the Elio is 600lbs lighter that may help the feel of the AMT.

my choice is 95% manual and only 5% for the AMT in my head.

I honestly don'tt care, but as a business plan Elio motors should want lots of people to grind lots gears. Molten metal might be a great temporary lubricant to decrease friction, momentarily...while increasing sales of new Elio's over time...increasing company incomes over time...allowing Elio to buy the government formally owned by big-oilers. (Except the Rockefellers as of 6 hours ago.)

 

[BlioKart]

I honestly don'tt care, but as a business plan Elio motors should want lots of people to grind lots gears. Molten metal might be a great temporary lubricant to decrease friction, momentarily...while increasing sales of new Elio's over time...increasing company incomes over time...allowing Elio to buy the government formally owned by big-oilers. (Except the Rockefellers as of 6 hours ago.)

 

[Jambe]

From reading the article above it appears that using the parking brake is indeed the recommended course of action. I do however wonder if the AMT also allows for leaving the vehicle in gear just like a traditional manual.

I had a Mercedes-Benz Sprinter with an AMT. It had Park. One thing I did not like about it was it did not upshift as quickly as I would have liked under some conditions.