Proton to introduce CVT technology in new cars

Proton Holdings Bhd will introduce the continuous variable transmission (CVT) technology in its coming range of cars, said group managing director, Datuk Seri Syed Zainal Abidin Syed Mohamed Tahir. In a statement on Monday, Syed Zainal said Proton has been conducting a comprehensive development and integration tests of the CVT with its CamPro engines and was happy to be able to provide this option to future buyers. "Soon, CVT will be mated to our CamPro engines as an option to our range of cars along with the conventional four-speed automatic gear transmission that is currently being used. "This feature will not only provide more than just a smoother drive but it will also contribute towards fuel efficiency and savings to the user," he said. Syed Zainal said in view of fuel price pressure on consumers, the introduction of CVT would contribute significantly to not only provide drivers with a smoother drive but also help reduce fuel consumption. He said Proton tests showed that the use of CVT in a car could reduce fuel consumption by up to four per cent with regards to urban driving and almost up to 10 per cent for highway driving. "Lower fuel consumption also impacts the environment significantly by reducing carbon dioxide emissions," he said. CVT technology has been growing in popularity among high-end car makers globally as it provides a smoother drive and more efficient performance to their cars.