between first and second fixed forward torque ratios is 1 87 and the ratio spread is 5 19 with reference to fig5 a a powertrain 410 is shown including an engine 12 connected to one preferred embodiment of the improved electrically variable transmission designated generally by the numeral 414 the transmission 414 is designed to receive at least a portion of its driving power from the engine 12 as shown the engine 12 has an output shaft that serves as the input member 17 of the transmission 414 a transient torque damper not shown may also be implemented between the engine 12 and the input member 17 of the transmission irrespective of the means by which the engine 12 is connected to the transmission input member 17 the transmission input member 17 is operatively connected to a planetary gear set in the transmission 414 an output member 19 of the transmission 414 is connected to a final drive 16 the transmission 414 utilizes two planetary gear sets 420 and 430 the planetary gear set 420 employs an outer ring gear member 424 which circumscribes an inner sun gear member 422 a carrier member 426 rotatably supports a plurality of planet gears 427 such that each planet gear 427 meshingly engages both the outer ring gear member 424 and the inner sun gear member 422 of the first planetary gear set 420 the planetary gear set 430 also has an outer ring gear member 434 that circumscribes an inner sun gear member 432 a plurality of planet gears 437 are also rotatably mounted.