Looking for a Torque Convertor Auto - motability car

Goudy

Even though they can get lumped into the same category, they all don't quite work in the same way.

For instance, the CVT.
Yes, they can be made and work as described but some work differently.
Toyota's CVT in their Hybrids uses a different approach, they use a planetary type arrangement with a chain that is connected to an electric motor. They call it a Power Split Device.
An outer drive ring gear has smaller cogs of different ratios inside it to alter the overall gear ratio.

Some torque convertors use a similar arrangement of planetary gears, the torque convertor only refers to the fluid link between engine and gearbox, the gearbox themselves can be built differently.

The TC part is basically a clutch, one half is connected to the engine, the other half is connected to the gearbox.
The only thing connecting them is fluid in the way of oil, spin it up and the oil stops acting as a fluid and grips the other half of the convertor causing a more solid link which allows the power to be transmitted through it.
Slow down the engine and the fluid starts acting as a fluid again and starts to disengages drive, though to be fair, there's always a bit of drag (creep).

As we know, DCT's can utilise dry or wet clutches but they do tend to work the same way, two shafts with alternate gears on them contantly spun. It can select any gear and that gear will already be spun up to the correct speed. It can even jump two gears as that gear would be on the same shaft/speed as the orginal one.

Renault have now released a different type of gearbox, the dog clutch gearbox for their e tech hybrid range.
It's design is based on a type of gearbox used in some race cars, but obviously more road focused.

Instead of clutches engaging and disengaging drive and the gears having synco gears to help smooth the step up or down between each gear, they use a set of internal teeth (dogs) on each gear to engage or disengage each gear to the shaft.
Disengaging all the dogs and you have neutral.

An automated manual is just that, a normal gearbox and clutch but the changes and clutch operation is made be a series of hydraulics and actuators for you.

Even types within the same categories can drive slightly differently and some drivers like some better than others.

Toyota's Power Split Device is legendarily reliable. They tend to cover hundreds of thousands of miles without trouble but a lot of drivers just don't find they satisfying. 

Personally I'm a lazy manual driver, so like the positive feel of the relationship between engine rpm and drive to the road.
I don't like to feel slip and I don't like the fussy rpm to drive feel of CVT's. 
About the closest I can get is a DCT.

facade

Interesting about the dog clutch gearbox in a car, Lucas were working on automating one on a truck in the mid 1980s, the idea was to use the clutch to get it out of gear, then take control of the engine and match the gear speed to the output shaft speed within a few rpm, then fire the dog clutch into engagement. Basically automating how you drive them, you put a bit of pressure on the gear lever during the change and it will slide into gear when the speeds match.

I thought the Prius got its CVT action by using one of the traction motors to spin the outer ring of the planetary gear at different speeds, however it is very reliable as it does away with the pushbelt and cones.

Goudy

Yes, my mistake.
The electric motor doesn't use a chain to drive anything.
The ICE and larger electric motor drive the planetary gears, the chain then drives the final drive/differential from those gears.

The second electric motor is also connected to the planetary gears but is used as a generator/starter and is also used as reverse "gear".
It's simple yet complicated.

I seem to remember reading Toyota/Lexus are working on a "manual" gearbox for EV's.
It's not really a gearbox, but a way of simulating gears, clutch and gear changes by adjusting torque from the motor until you "change gear".
Why they are doing this, I'm not sure.

Stateofart

DSGs - incredible gearbox, can go wrong if abused and not maintained.  The mechatronic (changes electrical signals into hydraulic) is prone to go.  Many 100s and 1000s have been built though and it's well known.

CVT - Don't get a Nissan.  These gearboxes are uncommon and difficult to fix when they fail.  A bit like a rotary engine for me, avoid.

TC - old skool, loads known about them.  Tough as old boots but rudimentary and agricultural feeling these days.  Lazy shifts but rugged. 

easy

MouldyOldDough said:

lemondrops69 said:

BMW and JLR vehicles will have torque converter auto gearboxes

But they are not motability compatible 

You will find BMWs on motability  (although a high advance payment I'm afraid),  along with Mini,  which also use TC transmissions. 
But seriously,  don't discount modern CVT transmissions. 
One of the best cars out there currently is a Toyota Yaris -  super reliable with a beautiful CVT transmission.  Take a look at the Honest John website https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/146281/what-small-car-has-the-best-auto-gearbox- .  You'll find the Yaris recommended over and over. 

MouldyOldDough

easy said:

MouldyOldDough said:

lemondrops69 said:

BMW and JLR vehicles will have torque converter auto gearboxes

But they are not motability compatible 

You will find BMWs on motability  (although a high advance payment I'm afraid),  along with Mini,  which also use TC transmissions. 
But seriously,  don't discount modern CVT transmissions. 
One of the best cars out there currently is a Toyota Yaris -  super reliable with a beautiful CVT transmission.  Take a look at the Honest John website https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/146281/what-small-car-has-the-best-auto-gearbox- .  You'll find the Yaris recommended over and over. 

Is the corolla the same mechanics - gearbox wise ?

I need space for a mobility scooter

NBLondon

Goudy said:

I seem to remember reading Toyota/Lexus are working on a "manual" gearbox for EV's.
It's not really a gearbox, but a way of simulating gears, clutch and gear changes by adjusting torque from the motor until you "change gear".
Why they are doing this, I'm not sure.

To give the driver better control of the torque in low-grip situations?  Mind you - that requires driver skill and for many, it would be better handled by some sort of traction control system.

To soothe the ego of performance car buyers?

Ditzy_Mitzy

MouldyOldDough said:

easy said:

MouldyOldDough said:

lemondrops69 said:

BMW and JLR vehicles will have torque converter auto gearboxes

But they are not motability compatible 

You will find BMWs on motability  (although a high advance payment I'm afraid),  along with Mini,  which also use TC transmissions. 
But seriously,  don't discount modern CVT transmissions. 
One of the best cars out there currently is a Toyota Yaris -  super reliable with a beautiful CVT transmission.  Take a look at the Honest John website https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/146281/what-small-car-has-the-best-auto-gearbox- .  You'll find the Yaris recommended over and over. 

Is the corolla the same mechanics - gearbox wise ?

I need space for a mobility scooter

The Corollas are all hybrids now, I believe, and are pretty much the same as the Prius underneath.  Gearbox will be a combination of electric motor and CVT.  Would you be able to get on with that?  

Bigwheels1111

Ditzy_Mitzy said:

MouldyOldDough said:

easy said:

MouldyOldDough said:

lemondrops69 said:

BMW and JLR vehicles will have torque converter auto gearboxes

But they are not motability compatible 

You will find BMWs on motability  (although a high advance payment I'm afraid),  along with Mini,  which also use TC transmissions. 
But seriously,  don't discount modern CVT transmissions. 
One of the best cars out there currently is a Toyota Yaris -  super reliable with a beautiful CVT transmission.  Take a look at the Honest John website https://www.honestjohn.co.uk/askhj/answer/146281/what-small-car-has-the-best-auto-gearbox- .  You'll find the Yaris recommended over and over. 

Is the corolla the same mechanics - gearbox wise ?

I need space for a mobility scooter

The Corollas are all hybrids now, I believe, and are pretty much the same as the Prius underneath.  Gearbox will be a combination of electric motor and CVT.  Would you be able to get on with that?  

The Corolla will be my next car as fully electric is not an option.
The new model is out soon, 1.8L140 hp & 2.0L 190 hp I think it is.
My mates Prius has 175k on the clock, mini cab driver.
Apart from service items, tyres and brake pads and discs, only one thing went wrong.
The electric water pump, 2 idiots a socket set and new antifreeze all fixed in just over 70 minutes.
£220 all in.
Toyota build good cars, he gets 55 mpg or more running local.

Goudy

Toyota make the Corolla Touring Sports, which is like an estate or shooting break along with the normal hatchback.
The Touring Sports model should have room for most mobility scooters.

We run a fleet of these where I work and all the drivers love them, they are used as patient transport cars so often end up with mobility scooters and the likes in the back.
We've still a few older hybrid Auris Touring models, I've driven a few of these with some mega miles on the clock and they still feel tight as a drum and have all been ruthlessly reliable.

As already mentioned, they come in two flavours, the 1.8 hybrid with 140hp and the 2.0 hybrid with 190hp.

The 2.0 is Toyotas latest revision of it's "Synergy Drive" hybrid system, it's actually a little more efficient and cleaner than the 1.8, which is carried over from the Prius and Auris.

I believe the 2.0 has a newer, bigger battery and the powertrain is lighter. It's the same concept as the older 1.8 but they're managed to reduce some of the mechanical losses of the older system.

They seem to have worked on some of the older systems driving gripes, like the "elastic band" effect between engine rpm and road speed has been improved.

The 2.0 costs a bit more, so it's worth test driving both options, though the 2.0 is meant to be a little better, there's not a massive gap between them.