Clutch Shifting... Gone in 10 years?

[bcroft]

A lot of the new cars that I see have the paddle clutchless shifting. Do you guys think that this technology will take over the usual clutch / shift knob technique?

[Cincy_Snaab]

God, I hope not!

I really wish car makers would stop dumbing us down.

[Nickshu]

Probably not, but as sportshift technology improves you will see more automakers deciding that it's not worth the cost to develop a manual transmission b/c very few units will sell.

European cars will be the last to do this b/c manual transmissions seem to be preferred much more in Europe than the USA. However, case in point, Volvo makes manual trans cars but across several models does not sell them in the USA, except on the performance models like S60R.

In the end, as long as BMW offers them, than most other sport-sedan mfgrs will. Sadly, everyone's goal appears to be just like BMW wherever possible.

[TooMany2cvs]

Originally Posted by bcroft

A lot of the new cars that I see have the paddle clutchless shifting. Do you guys think that this technology will take over the usual clutch / shift knob technique?

Semi-auto boxes have been around for over fifty years already, in mass production use. They haven't taken over yet.

However, case in point, Volvo makes manual trans cars but across several models does not sell them in the USA

<shrug> There's many, many model ranges, even entire mainstream manufacturers, that don't sell a single car in the US. And that's without even mentioning diesels... (40% of new cars in the UK, over 50% in Europe generally, and 70%+ in countries like France - don't forget that the EU has about 50% more population than the US)

[Matthew]

Originally Posted by TooMany2cvs

Semi-auto boxes have been around for over fifty years already, in mass production use. They haven't taken over yet.

They are much more common and affordable now than ever before. Some vehicles aren't even available with manual gearbox!

[TooMany2cvs]

Originally Posted by Matthew

They are much more common and affordable now than ever before.

No more reliable, though... Less, probably.

I've heard that VW's DSG 'box is starting to get a rep that the initials stand for "Doesn't Select Gears".

The more the complexity gets larded on, the worse the reliability will inevitably be. I predict new car buyers starting to vote with their feet in a seriously call for a return to simplicity in the next few years. Sure, emissions regs require ever more complex engine management, and, yes, windbags and the abs/tc/esp alphabetti-spaghetti will continue to be a selling point - but that doesn't mean the rest is necessary.

[900t]

Originally Posted by Matthew

Some vehicles aren't even available with manual gearbox!

Most vehicles in USA are not availible with manual gearbox

[bcroft]

Originally Posted by 900t

Most vehicles in USA are not availible with manual gearbox

This is sad. Like some people I learned to drive with a stick, and I don't want to see it go Automatic is just so boring.

[900t]

Originally Posted by bcroft

This is sad. Like some people I learned to drive with a stick, and I don't want to see it go Automatic is just so boring.

I agree entirely... I don't think ever the manual will be gone.

[lexington01]

When I started looking for a new car, I wanted:
-4 doors
-decent power
-manual transmission
-under $30,000

Good luck finding that in the US. My selections were pretty limited. In the end, it was down to the Saab vs Mazdaspeed 6.

No American mainsteam sedan offers a manual with a V6 (Malibu, Fusion, Avenger). Wish I lived in Europe.

[JeffCullen]

Originally Posted by Nickshu

In the end, as long as BMW offers them, than most other sport-sedan mfgrs will.

Fairly scary, as the only reason we can get the current M5 with a real manual is because of complaints...FROM AMERICA!

(not that you could pay me enough to drive one of those things...)

[TooMany2cvs]

Originally Posted by lexington01

None of our mainsteam sedans offer a manual with a V6 (Malibu, Fusion, Avenger). Wish I lived in Europe.

Heh. Few in that kinda size range are available here with v6s...

[900t]

Originally Posted by JeffCullen

Fairly scary, as the only reason we can get the current M5 with a real manual is because of complaints...FROM AMERICA!

(not that you could pay me enough to drive one of those things...)

That is correct, but you have to remember, those are American M5 buyers

[sethsev7n]

Originally Posted by 900t

Most vehicles in USA are not availible with manual gearbox

Most vehicles in the US you wouldn't want to drive anyways, manual gearbox or not

[900t]

Originally Posted by sethsev7n

Most vehicles in the US you wouldn't want to drive anyways, manual gearbox or not

Correct ("OOoh WOW a Ford Edge!")

[Aaron Gilbert]

Originally Posted by 900t

Most vehicles in USA are not availible with manual gearbox

I agree. When I was shopping for a new car, all the models I was shopping had manual transmission as 'standard' and automatic as optional. However, about 95% of the vehicles on dealer lots were automatic. Of the six I was looking at, only one dealer said they could order a manual transmission. Now that to me sounds a little bogus, but I didn't really look into it further.

[woodchukker]

Vigilance is the key, lets keep buying manual boxes.


Mind you DSG from the VW/Audi group is pretty darned good, none the less not worth paying someone to take away your physical control.

[woywitka]

Most small performance oriented cars still come available in a manual gearbox.


More and more people are never learning to drive a manual, very few of my friends know how.

My mom ONLY drives MT. I prefer MT myself under most circumstances.

[JeffCullen]

Originally Posted by 900t

That is correct, but you have to remember, those are American M5 buyers

SO, a fairly small and whacked-out cross-section of the population then

[900t]

Originally Posted by JeffCullen

SO, a fairly small and whacked-out cross-section of the population then

Exactly... but it is also something like 80 % of BMW's global target market for M5's