Forester 2013 Subaru Forester now officially announced

[Monster]

And I'm back for my questions:
2. So, a CVT uses the same mechanism to transfer torque to the wheels as a normal automatic gearbox, ie a torque converter, not a clutch. Yet, there are limits to the torque that this transmission can handle. Why is that? Is this the nature of the CVT or just this one, Subaru's CVT?

It is because the chains/belt will slip against the pulley in high torque applications, the point of contact between the belt and the pulley isn't as secure as the meshing of helical or spur gears.

3. The Forester is meant to taken off the road. Is a CVT transmission suitable for off-roading? This actually may be a dumb question, but I honestly don't know...

I don't have any practical off road experience, Martin can help. I think the CVT gearbox will not make a difference because when you are going off road you are driving very slowly in the lowest gear, so I doubt the CVT will have any benefit over the normal gearbox.

 

[martinbo]

Obviously in severe off-roading a CVT transmission is less capable because it lacks the "gear" ratio range required for a vehicle to crawl through obstacles. Same could be said for any SUV without a low-range transfer 'box.
In my experience with the Citroen Aircross (which uses a Mitsubishi CVT and AWD arrangement) in mild off-road conditions, the torque converter yielded the same torque multiplication-effect benefits when manoeuvering through slower obstacles. The CVT in its lowest ratio had no trouble dealing with the torque demands at low speeds. Does the CVT yield any benefits over a regular torque converter auto? No.

 

[Giannis]

Does the CVT yield any benefits over a regular torque converter auto? No.

Yet, you mentioned that it's more fuel efficient, compared to a slushbox. Is this because it can keep the engine in its optimum rev range, or are there any other reasons?

 

[martinbo]

Yet, you mentioned that it's more fuel efficient, compared to a slushbox. Is this because it can keep the engine in its optimum rev range...

Yes, it's mainly because of this; CVT's are able arrive at the optimum gear ratio depending on the throttle position and torque demands placed on the engine.

Here's some reading for you tonight:
http://www.dctfacts.com/industry-at-a-glance/dct-ahead-cvt.aspx
http://www.greencarreports.com/news/1078072_are-cvts-the-fuel-efficient-transmission-of-the-future
http://cars.about.com/od/thingsyouneedtoknow/a/CVT.htm