When they invented CVT transmissions.
“When is this thing gonna shift?”
When my Mom got her car with the CVT transmission, she kept speeding up and slowing down trying to make the car shift gears.
It was like riding in a mail truck.
“Mom, this car doesn’t have gears. It has a....well....it’s magic, but it doesn’t have any gears.”
CVTs aren’t going to be in any vehicle with performance appeal any time soon.
A broader range of ‘gears’ and lower friction add an mpg or two. That’s the appeal. Cars have become appliances like toasters.
I currently drive a 2016 Scion (neé Toyota) iM hatchback with a CVT. Yes, it does take some getting used to, but I do get 38 mpg on the freeway and acceleration is good up to 85 mph.