[commuter]

Has any one ever seen performance number comparisons between the 5 spd and CVT Insight? I'm talking 0-60 mph, or for our metric friends 0-100 kph.

I remember reading a report from one Insight owner that said that the CVT was much faster than the 5 spd around a closed circut track.

I'm also interested in performance comparisons out of corners and up hills.

 

[Dougie]

Search around in this forum. The five speed is really more like a three speed with two overdrives, so the CVT has a significant advantage in racing conditions.

 

[commuter]

I drive the 5 spd, but man there is a huge gap from 1st to 2nd gears.

You're right that the 5 spd is more like a 3 speed with 2 overdrives.

Did any magazines ever do a side by side test the two different cars?

 

[Billy]

The 5-speed weighs less, and has a slightly higher engine compression ratio.

 

[joecvt]

That higher compression gives the 5 speed 2 more horsepower and a
littler more torque. I think the 5 speed 0-60 time is 10.something and
the CVT is 11.something seconds but the difference is 1 second. If the
CVT had the same engine and using S mode (instead of D) I bet the
CVT would beat the 5 speed in a 0-60 run. There is only one forward
clutch in the CVT and once engaged there is less power loss in the CVT
because the clutch remains engaged as the ratio changes. There is no
torque converter as well.

But I may not be looking at this from both sides...The signature says
it all and may reflect my biased opinion :lol:

JoeCVT - Just your average CVT owner

 

[Guillermo]

If someone lent me their CVT I can compare with my 5 speed to determine if the CVT is better for autoslaloms.
I suspect it is better for autoslalom and track lapping.
But unfortunately CVT Insights were never sold in Canada, only 5 speeds.

 

[Scott]

Insight 5 speed, 67HP, 73HP with IMA. CVT 65HP, 71HP with IMA.
Insight 5 speed 66lb/ft, 79lb/ft with IMA. CVT 65lb/ft, 89lb/ft with IMA.
The CVT has a 2 HP loss, but a 10lb/ft torque gain over the 5 speed. Not sure how this relates to 0-60 times though.

 

[commuter]

.
The CVT has a 2 HP loss, but a 10lb/ft torque gain over the 5 speed. Not sure how this relates to 0-60 times though.

it's all about getting the power to the ground for 0-60 times. 10lb/ft is about a 13% increase in torque. That is quite a bit. The only thing that isn't part of the equation is the added weight of the CVT vehicle.

Any one have the 5 spd vs the CVT weights handy?

 

[joecvt]

Lots of good stuff here:
http://www.insightcentral.net/encyclopedia/enspecs.html

Curb weight
5 speed, without air conditioning 834 kg (1,847 lbs.)
5 speed, with air conditioning 848 kg (1,878 lbs.)
CVT, with air conditioning 893 kg (1,964 lbs.)

The CVT (in the US) comes standard with A/C

JoeCVT - Just your average CVT owner