Types Of Transmissions In Cars – V3Cars Guide

In this V3Cars guide, we explain the main types of car transmissions, including manual transmission (MT), torque converter automatic (TC), continuously variable transmission (CVT), electrically controlled CVT (e-CVT), dual-clutch transmission (DCT), automated manual transmission (AMT), intelligent manual transmission (iMT) and dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT). We also explain how they work and what buyers should know before choosing one.

Manual Transmission (MT)

Manual transmissions require the driver to select gears using a gear lever and operate a clutch pedal to connect or disconnect the engine from the transmission. They offer direct control over gear selection and are often preferred by drivers who enjoy being involved in the driving process.

You may have come across terms such as 5-speed manual transmission or 6-speed MT in our car reviews. These numbers refer to the number of forward gears available to the driver. Each gear has a different ratio, allowing the engine to operate within a suitable speed range as the car accelerates or cruises.

A 5-speed manual transmission, for example, has five forward gears and a reverse gear. First gear provides the multiplication of torque needed to move away from a standstill, while the higher gears allow the car to travel faster at lower engine speeds. A 6-speed manual adds another forward gear, which can help the manufacturer better balance acceleration and highway cruising.

Manual transmissions are generally affordable to buy and maintain. However, operating the clutch and changing gears repeatedly can become tiring in stop-and-go traffic.

Automatic Transmission (AT)

Automatic transmissions change gears without requiring the driver to operate a clutch pedal or manually select each gear during normal driving. However, not all automatic transmissions work in the same way.

Some use a torque converter and fixed gear ratios, while others use a belt-and-pulley system, 2 clutches or an automated version of a manual gearbox. Hybrid cars can also use e-CVT or DHT (also known as CAT) systems, which manage power from an engine and one or more electric motors.

Here are the main types of automatic transmissions available in India.

1. Automated Manual Transmission (AMT)

An automated manual transmission is essentially a manual gearbox in which the clutch operation and gear changes are controlled by actuators and electronic systems. The driver does not need to operate a clutch pedal or change gears manually during normal driving.

Since an AMT is based on a manual transmission, it can be more affordable than some other automatic gearboxes. This makes it a popular option in budget-friendly cars.

However, AMTs can produce a noticeable pause or a slight head-nod sensation during gear changes, particularly when accelerating hard. The latest systems vary in refinement, and driving style can also influence how smooth they feel.

Advantages: Generally affordable, easy to operate and often economical to run.

Disadvantages: Gear changes can be slower or more noticeable than those of some other automatic transmissions.

Maruti Suzuki calls its AMT system AGS, or Auto Gear Shift. AMTs are available in cars such as the Maruti Suzuki Celerio and Tata Tiago, depending on the variant.

2. Torque Converter Automatic (TC)

A torque converter automatic transmission uses a fluid coupling called a torque converter to transfer power from the engine to the gearbox. The torque converter allows the engine to keep running while the car is stationary and helps the vehicle pull away smoothly when the driver releases the brake and presses the accelerator.

Inside the transmission, a set of gears and clutches provides different gear ratios. Modern torque converter automatics also use lock-up clutches and electronic controls to improve efficiency and reduce power losses.

Advantages: Smooth operation, convenient driving in traffic and good compatibility with powerful engines.

Disadvantages: Can be more complex and expensive than a manual gearbox or AMT, although performance and efficiency vary considerably between transmissions.

Torque converter automatics are available in cars across several price segments, including models from Maruti Suzuki, Hyundai, Tata Motors, Mahindra and Toyota.

3. Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT)

A conventional continuously variable transmission (CVT) does not use a fixed set of stepped forward gears like a manual or conventional automatic gearbox. Instead, many CVTs use 2 variable-diameter pulleys connected by a belt or chain. As the effective diameters of the pulleys change, the transmission continuously varies its ratio.

This allows the engine to operate at a suitable speed for the driver’s acceleration demand without shifting between a fixed set of gears. The result is usually smooth acceleration without noticeable conventional gear changes.

One characteristic of some CVTs is the so-called rubber-band effect. When the driver accelerates hard, the engine may rev quickly and remain at a high RPM while the car gradually gains speed. Some drivers find this sensation less engaging than the stepped shifts of a conventional automatic.

Advantages: Smooth acceleration, no conventional gear shifts and the potential for good fuel efficiency.

Disadvantages: The driving feel may not appeal to everyone, and performance and efficiency depend on the specific transmission and vehicle.

CVTs are commonly found in cars such as the Honda Amaze, Honda City and Hyundai Bayon, depending on the model and powertrain.

4. Dual-Clutch Transmission (DCT/DCA/DSG)

A dual-clutch transmission uses 2 clutches to operate separate sets of gears. Typically, one clutch handles odd-numbered gears and the other handles even-numbered gears. While one gear is engaged, the transmission can prepare the next likely gear on the other shaft.

When a shift is required, control of the drive transfers between the clutches. This allows gear changes to happen quickly, with minimal interruption in power delivery.

Different manufacturers use different names for this technology. DCT stands for dual-clutch transmission, DCA is used by some manufacturers for dual-clutch automatic, and DSG is Volkswagen Group's name for its direct-shift gearbox technology.

Advantages: Quick gear changes, strong acceleration and the potential for good fuel efficiency.

Disadvantages: Some DCTs can feel less smooth at very low speeds or in heavy traffic. Their complexity and maintenance requirements also depend on the design and application.

Examples in India include the Volkswagen Virtus and Skoda Slavia with their respective dual-clutch automatic options, as well as the Tata Altroz DCA.

5. Auto-Clutch Manual Transmission (ACMT/iMT)

An auto-clutch manual transmission combines a conventional manual gearbox with an electronically controlled clutch. It removes the clutch pedal but retains the gear lever, so the driver still selects the gears.

In Hyundai and Kia models, this technology is known as iMT, or intelligent manual transmission. Sensors detect the driver’s gear-shift intention, and an actuator operates the clutch when required. The driver can therefore change gears without manually pressing a clutch pedal.

Unlike an AMT, an ACMT does not automatically select the next gear for the driver. It retains manual gear selection while reducing the effort required to operate the clutch.

Advantages: Manual control over gear selection without a clutch pedal, making driving in traffic less tiring.

Disadvantages: The driver still has to select gears, so it does not offer the same level of convenience as a fully automatic transmission.

6. Electrically Controlled CVT (e-CVT)

An e-CVT is commonly associated with strong-hybrid cars, but it is fundamentally different from a conventional belt-and-pulley CVT. Despite the similar name, an e-CVT in a hybrid car generally manages power from the petrol engine and electric motor or motors rather than continuously varying a belt-driven transmission ratio.

The exact mechanism depends on the manufacturer. Some systems use a power-split device, often involving planetary gears, to manage how engine power is divided between the wheels and electrical components. Others, such as Honda's e system, use electric motors for much of the driving and connect the engine directly to the wheels under suitable cruising conditions.

In a strong hybrid, the electric motor can provide immediate acceleration from low speeds, while the petrol engine can drive the wheels, generate electricity or work with the electric motor, depending on the system's design and driving conditions. The car’s control system manages these operations automatically.

The absence of conventional stepped gear changes generally makes e-CVT-equipped hybrids smooth to drive. However, an e-CVT is not necessarily a traditional CVT with a belt and pulleys, and its internal design differs between manufacturers.

Advantages: Smooth power delivery, efficient use of the petrol engine and electric motor, and automatic switching between hybrid operating modes.

Disadvantages: The engine's sound and RPM may not always rise in the same way as road speed, particularly under hard acceleration. The driving experience and performance also depend on the hybrid system's design.

Examples include the Toyota Urban Cruiser Hyryder, Maruti Suzuki Grand Vitara and Honda City e. Their hybrid transmission systems differ in design, even though they are associated with e-CVT technology.

7. Dedicated Hybrid Transmission (DHT)

A dedicated hybrid transmission (DHT), also known as Combined Automatic Transmission (CAT), is designed specifically to manage power from a hybrid powertrain. Unlike a conventional automatic gearbox that primarily transfers power from a combustion engine, a CAT coordinates the petrol engine and electric motor or motors, allowing them to drive the wheels separately or together, depending on the system's design.

CATs do not all use the same mechanism. Some combine fixed gear ratios with electric drive, while others use different arrangements to manage power from the engine, motors and battery. Their purpose is to select an efficient way to drive the car under different conditions, such as moving away from a standstill, accelerating, cruising or recovering energy under braking.

The Renault Duster Strong Hybrid E-Tech 160 is an example of a car with a CAT. Renault calls its unit a multi-mode automatic transmission. It uses 2 electric gears and 4 petrol-engine gears, allowing the system to combine electric and engine drive in different ways.

The Duster’s transmission can operate in electric-only, petrol-only and combined hybrid configurations. It can also use the petrol engine to generate electricity for the battery and recover energy during braking. The system selects the appropriate operating mode automatically, without requiring the driver to switch between them manually.

Renault’s CAT uses a dog-clutch arrangement for the petrol-engine side. Unlike a conventional friction clutch, a dog clutch engages through interlocking teeth and does not provide the same controlled slip. As a result, the electric traction motor handles launches from a standstill, while the petrol engine contributes through the available gear ratios when the operating conditions allow

Advantages: Designed to coordinate engine and electric-motor power, support multiple hybrid operating modes and improve overall powertrain efficiency.

Disadvantages: The transmission is more specialised and complex than a conventional gearbox, and its operation depends on the design of the hybrid system it serves.

The important point is that DHT and e-CVT are not interchangeable terms. Both can be used in hybrid cars, but they can manage engine and motor power through different mechanical arrangements. A DHT may use fixed gear ratios and multiple drive combinations, while an e-CVT hybrid system may use a power-split mechanism or another electrically coordinated arrangement.

Also Read: Renault Duster Strong Hybrid CAT Explained - How Its 13 Drive Combinations Work

Which Type Of Car Transmission Should You Choose?

The right transmission depends on your budget, driving conditions and preference for control or convenience.

• Manual transmission: A good option if you prefer direct gear control and want to keep the purchase price down.
• Torque converter automatic: Worth considering if you prioritise smooth operation and convenience, especially in traffic.
• CVT: Suits drivers who prefer smooth acceleration without conventional gear changes.
• e-CVT: A suitable choice if you want the benefits of a strong-hybrid powertrain, including electric assistance and automatic management of engine and motor power.
• DCT/DCA/DSG: Worth considering if you want quick gear changes and responsive acceleration.
• AMT: A budget-friendly option if you want two-pedal driving without paying for a more sophisticated automatic gearbox.
• iMT/ACMT: Suits drivers who want to select gears themselves but do not want to operate a clutch pedal.
• DHT: Relevant when choosing a hybrid car that uses a dedicated transmission to coordinate engine and electric-motor drive.

Before making a decision, take a test drive in the type of traffic you encounter most often. The smoothness of gear changes, low-speed behaviour, engine response and overall refinement can vary significantly between cars, even when they use the same broad transmission type.

Also Read: Different Types Of Car Engines Explained

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