Nissan and JATCO have just announced a new continuously variable transmission that features a wider ratio spread than any previous example of the type. The maximum spread from low to high in the past has been 6:1 but Nissan/JATCO have expanded that range to 7.3:1 facilitating better fuel efficiency. Since this is a friction belt type CVT, expanding the ratio spread can normally be problematic because of the physical limitations of bending the steel belt around the pulleys.

However, the automaker and transmissions builder have developed a novel solution that essentially creates a hybrid transmission. It's not a transmission that transfers electrical and mechanical power, however. Rather, it's a combination belt CVT and conventional geared transmission. A small auxiliary gear-set is added to the CVT to provide extra range to the ratios. In spite of the new hardware, Nissan says this new unit is 10 percent shorter in length and 13 percent lighter than other comparable CVT transmissions.

At this point, Nissan has not announced which vehicles will get the new unit. Check out the official press release after the jump.