The VW Multitronic gearbox is a continuous variable transmission (CVT) that differs from traditional automatic transmissions in fundamental ways, although both automate gear selection and shift changing to make driving more comfortable and straightforward. Finally, we’ll discuss the differences between the VW Multitratic gearbox and traditional automatic transmissions and explain why they matter for drivers who are interested in the strengths and potential drawbacks of the systems.
How Does the VW Multitronic Gearbox Work?
Astonishingly, unlike every other types of gear box, the system is just a confluence of pulleys and an endless steel chain. VW call the gearbox, which is based on CVT technology, the Multitronic. The stepless gearbox provides an unlimited number of gear ratios, adapting almost instantaneously to the changing driving conditions to achieve the most efficient possible gear ratio. It is able to do so as the centrifugal force increases on the car, which results in the power-to-weight ratio increasing.
Conversely, conventional automatic transmissions use a series of fixed (nonactive) gears ranging from 5 to 10 that shift in order as the vehicle gains speed, moving from low to high gear. A torque converter handles power transfer between the engine and the wheel, with set gear changes occurring at a specific speed.
Smoother Driving Experience
One of the most obvious differences between the VW Multitronic gearbox and conventional automatics is the driving experience. Since the Multitronic gearbox is not constrained by the need to shift between fixed gears, drivers get a more continuous pick-up and acceleration, which results in a much smoother ride – especially in stop-and-start traffic or at low speeds.
Traditional automatics serve less satisfactorily because their shifts are clearly palpable, especially when the engine is accelerating quickly. Modern automatics have become as smooth as they are, but the nature of the fixed-gear system ensures that the shifts can still be felt, especially under hard acceleration.
Fuel Efficiency
In the VW Multitronic gearbox, which delivers, on average, 4 per cent fuel savings over most traditional automatics, traction is maintained via a combination of clutches and a computer algorithm that determines the best ratio of engine speed to vehicle speed. The higher the better. Because it doesn’t have to shift as the speed matches, most of the time the engine is turning at its most economical rate, rather than at a higher humming speed or a jerky idle. This lowers fuel consumption – especially in city driving, where stop and go can reduce fuel economy.
While more sophisticated automatic transmissions have added a clutch and torque converter gears, they are still less efficient than manuals, since they need to shift in a series of fixed steps, which can leave the engine spinning at a sub-optimal speed. Newer automatics have gaps between gear shifts become shorter – by adding more gears (8 or 10-speed automatics), for example.
Performance and Responsiveness
And while I accept that the electronic nature of the VW Multitronic makes it smoother than many automatics, some drivers complain that the gearbox is not as sharp as a traditional automatic and that the constant nature of its shifting can lend an impression of lag – particularly under heavy acceleration when the revs build but the car does not surge forward as aggressively as it would with a conventional automatic.
By contrast, standard automatics, particularly the sport or manual mode versions, give you more fine-grained control over gear changes, which can make those models more appealing to performance-oriented drivers who prefer getting an aggressive and snappy gear-shift feel when accelerating or decelerating.
Maintenance and Longevity
Normally, both the VW Multitronic gearbox and a regular conventional automatic require similar attention – but what they need is occasionally different. CVTs such as the Multitronic gearbox are highly dependent on their transmission fluid. It is important to ensure that it is clean and filled to the correct level. The chain or the pulleys can wear over time and slip, or performance can be lost, all areas requiring expensive repair.
Less frequent were traditional automatics, which also need fluid changes over time but have long-term durability. Repairs can be just as expensive for conventional automatics when trouble begins to brew, as in cases of torque converter damage or broken gear synchronisers.
Conclusion
There are pros and cons to the continuous variable VW Multitronic gearbox and to the traditional automatic transmission depending on the type of ride you are looking for. For drivers who want a smooth, economical ride, the Multitronic system might be a fair choice. Is more or less smooth rides better than a more jerky ride?.
So the choice between a VW Multitronic gearbox and a traditional automatic transmission is one of taste, of highlighting one driving priority at the cost of another driving priority. Each system has its strengths, and it is to the degree that we understand those differences that we will be able to make our own decision on what transmission will be ours to conquer the road.
