400 Series ... with CVT

Post by **Vario Si** » 10 Jul 2005 02:40 pm

I only recently found out that some Volvo 400s have CVT with steel belts..?
I cant seem to find out much information about them though!

Anyone know what models had them, and if they were any good..?

Cheers,

Simon

Post by **petefarrell360** » 10 Jul 2005 03:49 pm

I seem to think this was a variant of the CVT known as transmatic. I also think it was very much like the 340 CVT, the brunt of many jokes, misunderstood and the dealers didn't really want to bother getting you one. However, I've not really taken much notice of the 400 series, even though my parents own a 460 1.9 TD. I've not even seen one in an automatic format, but I understand that during the last few made there were two auto options, the automatic 2.0i and the Hi-tech Automatic was only available on the 1.8.
Pete

Post by **shimon340** » 10 Jul 2005 06:48 pm

Hello

The 400 series had two automatic boxes. There was a conventional automatic which was fitted to the 2.0 models. There was also a CVT box available on the phase 1 400 series. It was only fitted to the 440 and 460 but was only available for a short time.

The gearbox is something I am trying to research at the moment

What I know is it that it was a Transmatic which means it was a CVT with steel belts enclosed in a sealed gearbox containing transmission fluid as opposed to the open rubber belt system fitted to the 340. Volvo bough Daf for their small car project the p900 which became the 340, for their factor in Holland and also for the CVT box. Volvo thought they had bought the rights to the CVT gearbox and went on to produce the transmatic for the 440 ( Im not sure if they developed it on their own or not )

Upon launching the model, Van Doone Transmissions and the rest of the Daf company, sued volvo for the use of the transmatic. Daf said volvo had only bought the rights to develop and build the rubber belt CVT and NOT any further developments including the steel belt system ( the first steel belt gearbox was developed by Daf and later further developed by Van Doone Transmissions ( bought by Bosch in 1990s ). Daf won the case and volvo had to stop production of the transmatic.

400 series cars with this gearbox are rare but very interesting. I'd like to find out more but I will have to contact some people at volvo in order to investigate this further

all the best

Shimon

Website · Post by **antiekeradio** » 10 Jul 2005 07:16 pm

very interesting indeed; but a serious 'don't touch!!!' warning from me now....

those CVT's are nice until they break down. bearings are prone to fail and needs the entire box to be taken apart and revised. Costs around 3000 €

so, if you get something with the box, its a total loss. ... ... ..

when in good order they are quite special to drive, no noise at all from the transmission, just the engine speed floating against vehicle speed.

revs are a bit higher on overdrive though, does not shift up as far as a vario on light cruising.

Greetings Wouter

Post by **Vario Si** » 10 Jul 2005 07:21 pm

That is quite interesting...

I just found a thread... not much info, but looks like Keith may no more!

http://www.volvoclub.org.uk/dc/dcboard. ... ull&page=9

Simon

Post by **Vario Si** » 10 Jul 2005 07:25 pm

Well... I was half tinking about looking into getting one if they were alright things! I won't now, but it is pretty interetsing.

I'll just enjoy my 340 Vario

*feels the need for a vario pic*

Simon

Website · Post by **antiekeradio** » 10 Jul 2005 07:41 pm

keep saving a bit longer and buy a Audi with multitronic.

(a bit.. hear me..)

The Multitronic, honestly, its "Übermechanik" best auto trans ever as far as I'm concerned. supersmooth, biggest difference between lowest and highest ratio (Vario; factor 4,5; CVT; factor 5; Multitronic; factor 6)
there have been some problems with the boxes but most of the time thats about the regulating electronics (wich can be changed separately)

Greetings Wouter