The benefits of the CVT include having optimal torque on tap in most driving conditions and improved fuel economy from running the engine in
its RPM sweet spot.
The BRZ feels a lot livelier in the upper reaches of its 7,400 - rpm range, while the Fiesta's 51 lb - ft torque advantage paid big dividends while squirting out of corners in the 3,000 to 5,000
rpm sweet spot, but power flattens off from there to its 6,300 fuel cut.
The combined gearing seems perfect, dialed in to keep the engine above its 3500 -
rpm sweet spot during fast road or quick track driving, and within spitting distance of that torque peak.
With nine speeds to dial through, it keeps the engine spinning at that 3,000
RPM sweet spot where the 2.0 - liter provides its peak torque.
Not exact matches
As a result, the CR - Z's powertrain has a
sweet spot between 1,000 and 5,000
rpm on the tachometer, a smooth, seamless blend of power that gives the CR - Z a zest you don't expect.
With an eight - speed automatic transmission that keeps the engine in the powerband
sweet spot — 1,750
rpm — you hit the throttle and get pushed back into the leather seats as the gear changes snap off and the speedometer needle climbs toward triple digits.
Peak power comes high up on the tach, at 6,000
rpm, and it seemed to be hunting for that
sweet, loud
spot.
The new transmission has four gearsets and five clutches and the smaller steps between gears keep the engine withing the
sweet spot of the
RPM Band, making the most of its horsepower and torque to optimize performance and efficiency.
The eight - speed transmission features smaller steps between gears, keeping the engine within the
sweet spot of the
rpm band to make the most of its horsepower and torque (460 lb. - ft.)
Between 4,500 and 6,000
rpm seems the
sweet spot for the best, most intense shrieks, crackling and popping in sport and sport - plus.
From the looks of things, the engine has a hard - set «
sweet -
spot» at the 5,500 -
rpm mark, which makes maximizing the M4's potential much easier than the old M3 Coupe.
In fifth gear and 2,600
rpm, our cruise speed would be 62.34 mph, and in sixth gear, it's 79.16 mph, which is much more in line with normal highway speeds while keeping the engine in the
sweet spot of its
rpm power range.
That's because they allow engineers to calibrate the engine to run in a relatively narrow
rpm range, right in the
sweet spot where it gets the best fuel economy.