This is the same thing a conventional automatic or manual transmission does but while a conventional transmission changes the ratio in stages by shifting gears, the CvT continuously varies the ratio- hence the name " continuously variable transmission Advantages of the cvt Engines do not develop constant power at all speeds, they have specific speeds where torque, horsepower and fuel efficiency are at their highest levels. Because there are no gears to tie a given road speed directly to a given engine speed the cvt can vary the engine speed as needed to access maximum power as well as maximum fuel efficiencyThis is the same thing a conventional automatic or manual transmission does, but while a conventional transmission changes the ratio in stages by shifting gears, the CVT continuously varies the ratio - hence the name "continuously variable transmission". Advantages of the CVT Engines do not develop constant power at all speeds; they have specific speeds where torque, horsepower and fuel efficiency are at their highest levels. Because there are no gears to tie a given road speed directly to a given engine speed, the CVT can vary the engine speed as needed to access maximum power as well as maximum fuel efficiency