At least we still get gears here in the states! New S4 ts is CVT only. http://shiftinglanes.com/2016/10/su...hat-will-anger-fanbois-in-more-ways-than-one/
At least the writer nailed describing the typical Subaru enthusiast...almost. "Flat brim hat" should have been in there somewhere.
Although it didn't really match up with myself at all, the description of owners was hilarious. And CVT? Ruined.
Making it CVT only was kinda dumb, should have made manual an option. Having driven the CVT in a 16 just the other day I can say that if I had to deal with BS bumper to bumper on a daily basis I wouldn't think twice about getting it. It wasn't that terrible and actually funnish in S# flap happy mode, and with the STI suspension tweaks this one has makes it interesting.
The wife's '15 Legacy has a CVT and I really don't mind it in that car. Fairly smooth and more predictable compared to a lot of auto transmissions, and I like the way it's utilized for engine braking with cruise/distance control. The flappy-paddle "manual" mode makes it more interesting to drive, but definitely still feels like an auto. In a WRX or any sort of sporty car though? I would think they could program the CVT to give it very strong and consistent acceleration with its "infinite" gear ratios allowing the engine to stay in its peak RPM range for maximum effect, but with every CVT I've seen they try to emulate a traditional auto and have it cycle through a series of fixed ratios so that the way it feels and behaves is more familiar to the driver.
And that is exactly what they did, in S# it keeps the simulated 8 speed automatic in the sweet spot of the rev range until you flap up or down, no intervention. Made some both hands on the wheel driving through twisties really fun. Granted it doesn't do very well off the line, but if you are the type that doesn't give a crap about the Honda or Mustang revving at you at the light, it's a livable choice.
Agreed, the CVT actually isn't bad at all. In S# mode, the shifting is fast, very similar to a dual clutch, and not the usual slow, laggy shifting of other flappy paddles. On my forester XT, I can tell a difference between "I" and S#...shifting in S# is definitely faster. CVT's/dual clutch gearboxes may be faster, but driving a traditional manual is still more fun. I'm a bit surprised the Subaru put a CVT in this special edition, not because of the fun factor, but because of the strength factor. Several 14+ FXT owners have had CVT failures on the stock FXT's. It does look like they added a CVT oil cooler and "strengthened" radiator fan on this special edition, so perhaps those help the situation.
