Choose a car. Variator or automaton - what is better?

On cars of the last generations both mechanical and automatic transmissions can be installed. In addition, not so great a rarity of cars equipped with variators. If with mechanics everything is relatively clear, then how is it with the last two? So when buying a new or used car in front of the buyer there is quite a natural question: a variator or an automaton - which is better? Before you answer it, you need to figure out one more detail. Namely, what is the difference between the automatic box and the variator.

Automatic box

Automatic transmission (automatic transmission) was created at the beginning of the XX century, and its original application, she found in shipbuilding. Its inventor is the German scientist Fettinger, who proposed a hydrodynamic transmission, which unleashed the engine and the propeller.

Somewhat later, in the forties of the last century, American automakers began to install Automatic Hydramatuc boxes on Oldsmobile machines. Since then, the design of the automatic transmission, consisting of two main elements (a torque converter and directly the reducer itself), has changed little - only improved. The torque converter, replacing the clutch, allows you to change gears smoothly, without jerking, and the gearbox, consisting of several pairs of gears, makes it possible to change the gear ratio. Before finding the answer to the question: a variator or an automaton - which is better, one should weigh all the strengths and weaknesses of each species.

Advantages of automatic transmission:

• Simplicity in driving;
• Increase the life of both the clutch and the engine;
• Reduced fuel consumption when using a six-speed automatic transmission.

Disadvantages of automatic transmission:

• Weak dynamic characteristics;
• Cars equipped with four-speed automatic transmission have increased fuel consumption;
• Complexity of repair;
• The need for frequent oil changes (compared to mechanics);
• Limited use at low temperatures.

Variable speed drive

The entrenched opinion that the variator was invented later by the automatic transmission system is a big mistake. The principle of his work was described by the famous Leonardo da Vinci in the XV century, only to introduce it was possible relatively recently - in the second half of the XX century.

Continuous variator can be called one of the varieties of automatic transmission. He has no speed at all. Constructively, the variator consists of two pulleys (master and slave), located one opposite the other and connected by a trapezoidal belt. Cone cones have halves, shifting and expanding which varies the amount of torque from the drive pulley to the slave.

The principle of operation and the technical device here, of course, is simpler and more functional. However, it would be wrong to say unequivocally that if you could choose a variator or an automaton, it's better to buy a variator. Despite its dignity, it is also not devoid of shortcomings.

Advantages of the variator:

• Increased dynamics;
• Less fuel consumption;
• Smooth work;
• Increase in engine life;
• Simplicity of car operation.

Disadvantages of the variator:

• Complicated (and most importantly - expensive) repairs;
• The need to replace the belt every 100-150 thousand km;
• The presence of complex electronics, the failure of which can "fly into a pretty penny";
• Use of special oil.

As a conclusion

So, a variator or an automaton - what is better? If to judge by technical features, then the variator dynamic characteristics, of course, better than the automatic transmission. Plus to this - smooth gear changes and lower fuel consumption. However, the machine is much easier and cheaper to repair. Although, if you buy a completely new car, which is covered by the warranty, you can choose and variator. In any case, an unequivocal answer to the question: what is better - a variator or an automaton, perhaps, no one can give, and therefore the final choice entirely depends on you.