A market analysis from 1998 verified the expectation, that existing powershift transmissions for agricultural tractors and special trucks will be substituted world-wide within the next decade by Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVT).
-The result of this R&D project is a continuously variable transmission on the basis of hydrostatic-mechanical power splitting with torque connection from zero to maximum speed. The trade name at Steyr-Daimler-Puch is S-Matic. The S-Matic automatically adjusts the operating point of the whole drive line from the engine to the tyres, without having the driver to influence the system. The cartridge includes 4 planetary gear sets, the hydrostatic unit and the electronic transmission control. The research and development was supported substantially by a wide range of new developed simulation tools, for example FEMFAT for fatigue simulation and KULI for cooling systems optimisation.
-The main advantages of S-Matic are a high driving comfort for the user, a continuously variable speed under all conditions, high overall efficiency, low emissions and a market conformity of the price.
-By the end of 1998, 5 S-Matic prototypes are running on test benches. Additionally 7 agricultural tractors and 2 trucks have been equipped with S-Matic at Steyr-Daimler-Puch, at our partners within the consortium and at the potential customers.