In unstressed syllables, only the close variants occur except before sonorants.

There have been close variants, though.

The name, or close variants, is also used for:

The rice used is almost invariably Basmati or a close variant.

Google Maps uses a close variant of the Mercator projection, so it cannot show areas around the poles.

Google Maps is based on a close variant of the Mercator projection.

Several political parties, past and present have been known as the Social Christian Party or close variants on the name:

Not even on close variants of the two names.

Beach Polo is a team sport and close variant of arena polo.

It has also become an industry standard for all screenplays to be written in 12 point Courier or a close variant.