[Shotimes] CVT's, torque and horsepower

[Ron Nottingham]

OK, to add a little more fuel to the fire...

Nissan's new Murano uses a CVT.  The Murano is a 2-ton Altima based SUV,
with a 3.5L V6.  This V6 has power peaks at 245hp @ 5800 rpm and 246 lb-ft @
4400 rpm, it redlines at 6500 rpm.  Car & Driver's test in the Feb '03 issue
states that best acceleration (0-60 7.5 sec, 1/4 mile 15.9 @ 88mph, tops out
at 116mph) occurs when the engine is at 6250 rpm and goes through the CVT's
ratio range of 2.37 to 0.44:1 with a 5.17 final drive ratio.  Around town,
it stays near peak efficiency (torque peak), for everything short of
wide-open throttle.  Best acceleration occurs not at peak torque, nor at
peak horsepower, but a little above peak hp!  I'm sure Nissan didn't just
accidently guess at this, as they could easily have programmed the engine
management to accelerate anywhere in the engine's rev range.

Ron N. - Dalton, GA
90 SHO