Traffic is an inevitable part of commuting which adds stress to everyday driving. To minimize fatigue that comes with driving in traffic, people have started preferring cars with automatic transmission. What was once considered a luxury has now become a necessity to make driving easy.

As the market leader, Maruti Suzuki understands this all too well, which is why it has three popular automatic transmissions on offer – Auto Gear Shift (AGS), Automatic Transmission (AT), and Continuously Variable Transmission (CVT). Each of these three transmissions has been optimized by Maruti Suzuki keeping in mind the comfort and seamless driving experience every car buyer would want to have.

But what makes them different from each other? Let’s check out.

AGS

AGS, known as Auto Gear Shift, is a clutch-pedal-less technology pioneered by Maruti Suzuki which offers the benefits of both manual and automatic transmission. Maruti Suzuki first introduced AGS in 2014 with the Celerio. With time, AGS technology has been progressively introduced in 7 more models, namely Alto K10, Dzire, Ignis, S-PRESSO, Swift, Vitara Brezza, and Wagon R.

AGS consists of an Intelligent Shift Control Actuator that is operated by the transmission Electronic Controller Unit. The system can intelligently assess dynamic driving conditions to optimize gear shifts. It eliminates the need for manual gear shifts (since gears are shifted electronically) and also delivers high fuel-efficiency figures which are comparable to manual variants.

AT

AT or Automatic Transmission is a completely automated gearbox that self-changes the gear ratios. AT is made up of three components - torque converter (hydraulic coupling), planetary gear systems, and hydraulic controls. Each of the gear ratios gets a dedicated wet clutch system.

• Hydraulic controls manage the operates of wet clutch systems

• Planetary gear systems help achieve variations in speed as per the driving requirements

• Torque converter transfers the power from engine to transmission

Available in Ciaz, Ertiga, and XL6, this automatic transmission delivers comfort, performance and drivability.

CVT

CVT or the Continuously Variable Transmission is an automatic transmission technology that does not have the conventional gear system as any other automatic transmission. Instead, the setup works on two pulleys with variable diameters. These pulleys are connected by a chain or belt.

In CVT, the transmission electronic controller unit works with the hydraulic cone-pulley system to achieve the desired multiple speed ratios. The power flows continuously from the engine to the wheels. The functional aspect of CVT allows the engine to operate in the highest possible efficiency band and helps deliver enhanced fuel efficiency. Available in the Baleno, Maruti Suzuki has tuned and optimized the CVT transmission for Indian driving conditions.

If you are still wondering as to how it feels to drive a car with an automatic transmission, then experience it yourself by taking a test drive! To book your test drive, click here.