Tritec Motors

Tritec Motors is a new manufacturer of high quality motors, located in Parana State, Brasil as part of a joint-venture between BMW and DaimlerChrysler. Manufactures USA EPA approved products, with fuel Injection Systems by Siemens. Specializing in 16 valve, inline four cylinder motors.

 

 

 

 

As the name suggests, a continuously variable transmission has no fixed ratios, offering a stepless progression of drive ratios, allowing the engine to continuously run at peak efficiency. It can be analogized as the difference between climbing a ladder or walking up a ramp. The improved driving feel comes from the CVT's basic structure. It keeps the engine operating within a fairly narrow rpm range, while moving the steel belt from the narrow to the wide ends of the pulleys to provide a very wide range of gear ratios with no discernible steps from one gear to the next.
 

That's just the opposite of conventional transmissions, in which engine speed varies widely and there are only a handful of gear ratios.  The main advantage of the CVT is that it allows the engine to run constantly within its most efficient RPM range. Because of this, CVTs can reduce fuel consumption by 10 percent. Since the engine and component speeds are generally slower, the entire driveline experiences less stress and therefore lasts longer.

The CVT allows the drive-train to achieve smooth operation and powerful acceleration while greatly improving fuel efficiency. The torque converter not only increases acceleration performance but also improves handling for hill starts and parking. Electronic control brings out the full potential of the CVT. By extending the flexibility of the transmission ratio settings, the vehicle fully realizes the intentions of the driver. Another side benefit of the electronic control is automatic engine braking, thereby resulting in less wear on the braking system as well.
 

By adding a manual shift function with six speeds, selected by using buttons on the steering wheel, the driver is able to experience both the smooth driving intrinsic to the CVT's automatic transmission and the sportier, hands-on feeling of a manual transmission.

Advances in electronic controls today allow the operational system to improve fuel efficiency while providing a driving experience virtually identical to what customers have grown to expect. The transmission control unit (TCU) receives data on vehicle speed and acceleration from sensors. It then calculates the current status before sending signals on optimum performance to the appropriate components.

Those controls, other advances in materials, and the manufacturing process of the belts provide world-class reliability. In addition, years of development provide ZF's Ecotronic with the capability to handle the torque output of high power engines like the Tritec, used in Obvio! cars.

 

ZF ECOTRONIC AT A GLANCE:
 

Transmission Type:
continuously variable transmission

Technical concept:
steel thrust belt driven

spindle shaped variators
Torque converter power transfer
Electronic control unit integrated into transmission

Advantages:
10 % better acceleration compared toany 4-speed-automatic transmissions

10 to 15 % improved fuel consumption

Higher efficiency with

torque converter lock-up

Life-time oil capacity
 

 

 

 

The continuously variable gear

ratio is achieved by simultaneously

varying the spacing in both disc

pairs by means of a special

hydraulic cylinder.

 

 There are no more gear shifts

as such, which makes the CVT

a highly sophisticated gearbox,

for the utmost in driving comfort.

 

Most importantly, the CVT's high gear ratio spread permits the engine to  be operated in it’s ideal, low emissions, low fuel consumption RPM range.