End of Manual Tranny?

[Krad]

et here I am, flying at 140 mph down the banked straightaway at Pocono Speedway in the new BMW M3. This 400-horsepower beauty of a sports sedan happens to be equipped with BMW’s latest high-tech, no-clutch-pedal 7-speed automated-manual transmission — basically a manual gearbox that can shift by itself.


The End of Manual Labor? (http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=656470)


It is true. With electric vehicles and all the crazy shit that is coming out, it'll probably go out sooner or later.

[speed stick]

That's something that I have been thinking about for the last while considering how many high performance cars have auto's now. Like the EvO and GT-R ect... But damn, I won't buy anything but a manual. Well at least we still have a lot of time before only auto's will be available since the auto's just recently starting replacing the manuals.

I honestly love driving with two legs. From here on in every sports car that I drive will be a manual because I can't afford any of these vehicles with these high performance auto's. And living in Canada all I gotta do is just import some 15+ year old Japanese cars and I'm good ;)

[GTAce]

It is okay as long as you can shift manually when you switch the car on manual.
Unlike in the Maserati Gran Turismo or Mercedes SL, where the cars still shift up automatic in manual mode, thats ridiculous.

[speed stick]

Still three pedals is way more fun then two.

[jaxmkii]

the bmw DSGs are way to unstable

[masonite]

Unstable? how do you mean? The gearbox is developed by bosch (who also developed porsche's PDK gearbox), and its had a lot of development in it, its designed for high torque applications.

I think conventional autos are dead, but hopefully the manual will be around a bit longer Manuals are still cheaper than any kind of auto, so there will (hopefully) always be a market for them.

The thing that worries me is that even in terms of performance, a DSG is actually better - it can shift faster than a human ever can, and it offsets any losses caused by the slight increase in weight. Pretty sure the economy is closer to a manual too, as theres no torque converter constantly working against the engine the way there is in a conventional auto.

Also, i should probably say that the Mk VI VW Golf is supposedly only coming out with a DSG - no conventional auto. and its a 7 speed.

[Xer0]

Automatics have gotten to the point were they are simply "better" then their manual brethren. They are faster, smoother, more fuel efficient, and last longer. And while they are fast replacing manuals in high performace cars, it makes sense as those cars are all about the numbers. As long as cars exist with the sole purpose of having fun, the manual will never die. Cars like the GT-R are all about the numbers and it makes sense that it would be saddled with a transmision that lets it achieve those numbers. But when you have cars like the MX-5 or Elise, whos sole purpose is to put a grin on your face, i doubt the manual will ever really vanish.

[masonite]

^^i hope you're right. Hopefully that also means car companies can focus on making enjoyable, slick manual transmissions instead of ones that make you feel as though you're pushing a spoon through a bowl of porridge. Thats the thing i can't understand - Its the oldest, most common type of gearbox - but companies still manage to make terrible ones?!

[GTAce]

They tested the Lexus IS-F on D-Motor yesterday!



Why do i post this here? Because it has one awesome automatic gearbox.
Its 8 speed, shifts fast and it wont shift automatic in manual mode.
The characteristic of it is also pretty awesome so it wont get boring.

Lovely car btw. very fast, great handling and awesome sound.

[bobo_ess]

Still three pedals is way more fun then two.

i agree...i can't go back to automatic

[masonite]

Probably worth mentioning that Nissan is at least doing its bit to prolong the life of a third pedal - new 370Z has an automatic throttle blip on its manuals so you don't have to heel and toe. Depending on your perspective its either a good thing or a bad thing, but either way it makes a manual easier to have fun with.

[speed stick]

Yeah I read that the other day as well. I personally would most likely turn it off just because I find it fun to perfect a downshift. Its the first vehicle to have incorporate that technology.

[Smokey]

ya my foots always been blipper :)

[Greg]

I will never give up my manual Jeep.

[MrX]

I will kill before i EVER buy another auto equipped car.

[sam]

I like driving with a traditional clutch and gear. Gives me a sense of control over the car.

[PSXBatou]

For a track car, or the "weekend" type car I would get a manual. However for a daily driver I would take an automatic. Shifting through traffic is just too much of a pain in the ass, while I loved it when I was younger its more of a hassle than something "fun" for me nowadays.