Abstract: A planetary gear set is drivingly connected to the input and output of a continuously variable transmission (CVT). Of the three concentric rotatable members of the planetary gear set (sun gear, planet carrier, and ring gear) one is drivingly connected to the input of the CVT, one is drivingly connected to the output of the CVT, and the third is the output of the combined unit. Teeth ratios of the gears in the planetary set cause the range of input-to-output speed ratios of the combined unit to exceed that of the CVT alone. The expanded range of continuously variable speed ratios enables control strategy to achieve vehicle performance with a smaller engine, and improve fuel economy and emissions. The gear set also improves packaging and increases torque capacity of the CVT.