6 Different Types Of Gearboxes: Who Should Buy What
When the Indian automotive industry was not as developed as it is today, there were only a few different gearbox options available in the market. However, today things have changed a lot, and currently, there are six different transmission types which you can choose to buy. Now, if you are someone who does not know which gearbox will suit them the best, then you have reached the right spot. Today, you'll get a clear idea of which transmission option is the best one for you and your needs.
The first and the most common transmission option opted for by most car buyers in India. Around 68–70 percent of cars sold in the country are equipped with manual gearboxes. Cars with manual transmission use a clutch and gear lever to manually shift gears. In return, it offers the maximum driver control over power delivery and engine speed. It also offers more fuel efficiency and is low maintenance.
Manual transmissions are best suited for drivers who want more control over their cars. It is also very good for drivers who drive on highways a lot. The only downside of MT gearboxes is that they are tiring in bumper-to-bumper traffic in cities. Most Indian cars are offered with either a 5-speed or a 6-speed manual gearbox today.
The intelligent manual gearbox is a hybrid of a manual and an automatic gearbox. In cars with iMT gearboxes, there is no clutch pedal, but the driver selects the gear via the lever. This gearbox uses sensors and actuators to automate the clutch operation while shifting. In return, it becomes very convenient to drive in city traffic and also eliminates the risk of clutch wear.
Now, coming to the type of buyer who should opt for an iMT gearbox, anyone who wants the control of a manual gearbox but does not want to get tired of pressing the clutch in traffic should opt for it. Popular models such as Hyundai Venue, Hyundai Creta, and Kia cars offer iMT gearbox options.
The automated manual transmission, or AMT gearbox, is essentially a manual gearbox where the clutch and gear shifts are controlled by electro-hydraulic actuators. AMTs are very affordable and also very fuel-efficient; hence, they are seen on more budget-friendly models.
If you are a city commuter who prefers affordability over refinement, you can opt for a vehicle equipped with an AMT gearbox. However, the main downside that you need to keep in mind is that the gear shifts of an AMT vehicle are very slow and jerky, especially at lower speeds and during quick accelerations. Cars like the Maruti Suzuki Alto K10 AGS, Tata Punch AMT, and others get this gearbox.
Apart from the manual gearboxes, the torque converter automatic gearbox is one of the oldest and most reliable gearbox types currently available in the market. It uses a hydraulic fluid coupling (impeller + turbine) to transfer power and replaces a physical clutch. The gear shifts of torque converter automatics are very smooth and offer a lot of reliability.
These are mostly offered with cars with bigger engines, and they provide a lot of low-end torque. So, if you are someone looking to buy a big SUV for highway cruising, you can opt for the torque converter automatic gearbox. It is very smooth and effortless. The only downside is that the fuel efficiency is lower due to transmission losses and the heavier setup. Cars like the Tata Safari, Harrier, Toyota Innova Crysta, and other diesel SUVs are offered with TC AT.
Unlike a standard automatic gearbox, dual-clutch transmissions use two separate clutches—one for odd gears and one for even gears. This ensures that the gear shifts are rapid and seamless, with minimal loss of power. DCTs are available in two configurations: wet and dry.
So, if you are someone who wants the fastest gearbox, then you should opt for a car that offers a DCT. The major drawback, however, of any DCT is its complex system. Once it breaks down, it requires a lot of money for repairs, and they often overheat in city traffic conditions. The Volkswagen Virtus, Skoda Slavia, Hyundai i20 N-Line, and others offer DCT gearbox options.
There are no physical gears in a CVT. It uses a belt-and-pulley system for infinite gear ratios. This ensures that the driving experience is as smooth and seamless as possible. It is the quietest of all transmissions and offers supreme refinement.
If you are someone who wants jerk-free shifting, you can opt for a CVT car. It also offers great fuel efficiency in gentle driving conditions. As for the downside, it feels less responsive at high speeds.
All-electric cars produce instant torque and operate efficiently across a wide speed range. Due to this, they use a single-speed reduction gearbox instead of multiple gears. No gear shifting is needed; it offers buttery-smooth acceleration, and there is zero lag. They are virtually maintenance-free and extremely quiet.