There are probably not many models using steel chain CVTs in the world, not as many as steel belts. However, steel chain CVTs are generally suitable for medium and large displacement vehicles or off-road vehicles with higher torque output requirements, and are still dominated by Japanese brand vehicles. After all, this is the biggest application of the advantages that chains bring to steel, because steel chains have better inherent structural resistance and load-bearing capacity than steel belts. However, judging from the brand cars currently sold in China, there are not many steel chains, and steel belts are the main ones.
As far as I know, the cooperation between Subaru and LUK is mainly to equip steel chain CVT. Audi has cooperated with LUK before, and now the new CVT250 launched by General Motors uses steel chain transmission. However, Audi no longer uses CVT after having its own DSG; Subaru can be said to have customized its transversely opposed layout; GM's CVT is promoted for the domestic market. After all, everyone knows that GM always drags transmissions. Domestic powertrain companies such as Wanliyang, Shengrui, Chery, etc. It started with steel belts but did not develop into steel chains, so there are very few mass-produced cars. After all, most of them start with home entry-level power and match the gearbox. I didn’t expect so much torque and power to be used.
GM Buick and Chevrolet are equipped with the latest CVT250 steel chain transmission, Mairuibu XL, Angola GX and so on. I haven't thought of anything else yet. Additions are welcome. Other Japanese cars basically use steel belts for CVT. Nissan's large-displacement personal off-road vehicles, except for the 7AT, all use Jieke CVT8 steel chain transmission, such as the British QX60 and Infiniti. Not to mention Subaru, CVT has always used steel chains, mainly matching Subaru's horizontally opposed engine and full-time four-wheel drive, which is a special case in CVT.
The pursuit of steel chains is not excessive, and the question can be regarded as a study of CVT. He was worried that the steel belt transmitted by the mesh belt would slip and break, and would be unable to provide high torque and service life. Actually, don’t worry about this. Although the chain has the potential to carry large torques, the maximum torque of the steel belts provided by Bosch can reach 400Nm, and it is normal for ordinary steel belts to provide 150-300Nm. The 450N-meter steel chain currently available is a collaboration between Subaru and LUK, and is equipped with Subaru models.
Although steel belts are not as torque-resistant as steel chains, after all, most cars cannot use such a large torque, so steel belts with low noise, low cost, and gradually improved durability have become the choice of CVT car companies. First choice. Additionally, the gearbox needs to match the engine. If the displacement and torque are not large, the steel chain will have no real effect. The maximum torque of the engine is only 250N, and there is no room for you to match a steel chain CVT that can withstand up to 400N meters. Bosch's breakthroughs and technological upgrades in steel belts are basically a monopoly. It has a complete industrial chain and can provide high-quality, low-cost steel belts. This is also the reason why major CVT car companies choose it.
Finally, take a look at the general parameters of this steel chain CVT:
The steel chain provides a maximum torque of 250 Nm, similar to an ordinary steel belt CVT. Therefore, if the steel chain is not used, the torque will be very large. This is tailor-made by GM to match its own displacement of 1.3T and below, because the maximum torque of 1.3T is only 240Nm.
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