Manual vs Automatic

Geoff.D said:
That was it. Very popular at the time amongst enthusiasts. The manual version had the gear change on the steering column. The idea being that hand movement to and from the steering wheel was less than a stick shift.
Very large steering wheel as well. Fun car to drive. The manual that is.
Click to expand...

Also felt absolutely bulletproof with those monstrously thick solid metal doors.
 
Geoff.D said:
I am not sure at all if Ford had an automatic in the market place at the time. My uncles were Ford and Chrysler people and my dad was an Austin man. It was only the one uncle that had an automatic.
Click to expand...

Pretty sure Mercedes had automatics here before then already.

After all they were running (mechanical) fuel injection by that time.
 
SauRoNZA said:
Pretty sure Mercedes had automatics here before then already.

After all they were running (mechanical) fuel injection by that time.
Click to expand...
Yes. A bit of research and you find all the usual suspects had automatics around, all in upmarket models.

Mercedes Benz, BMW, Audi, Jags, Bentley's etc.

The Valiant appears to be an attempt to get the ordinary okes to buy automatics.
 
Dan C said:
Oops my bad. Mine is actually a 6 speed EDC. Clio 4.
Click to expand...
So, Rather something similar to a DSG, fixed ratio 6-speed manual override. Reviews were/are that it is sluggish compared to its rivals. Considered to be a better drive in manual mode. Makes 100 % sense to me. Sounds like in manual mode, it becomes like a preselect gearbox?

The EDC ‘box neutered the wildchild RenaultSport Clio and there’s a distinct lack of involvement and responsiveness
Off the line, there’s plenty of hesitation, but once you’re moving it’s fine. Gearshifts aren’t the smoothest though
Click to expand...

Not for me. Would prefer to drive the manual version.
 
Last edited:
Geoff.D said:
So, Rather something similar to a DSG, fixed ratio 6-speed no manual override. Reviews were/are that it is sluggish compared to its rivals.
Click to expand...
There is a manual override. Never actually tried it. Not sluggish at all, it actually wheelspin in second gear when you floor it. Love the change in gears, pretty much like an F1 car :p
 
Dan C said:
Oops my bad. Mine is actually a 6 speed EDC. Clio 4.
Click to expand...

RS? i have the trophy, much improved gearbox software. crazy fast shifts in race mode. Its a mile away from the PH1 RS. way more fun than gti shifts
 
Explained: ZF two-speed EV gearbox - WhichCar Australia

German transmission giant cuts new teeth on two EV ratios

760264

760266

At low speeds and in stop-start traffic, an electric motor is at its most efficient, offering regenerative braking to recoup power under deceleration and without power-sapping drag to fight.

But at cruising speed, the rapidly spinning motor puts a high demand on the battery, compounded by aerodynamic and tyre resistance.

However, when vehicles fitted with ZF’s new unit pass 70km/h, the gearbox shifts up into its taller cruising ratio, lowering the motor’s RPM for greater efficiency and optimised torque.

Read more: Everything you need to know about electric cars

Until now, manufacturers have had to choose between low-speed torque or high-speed efficiency and lock that decision into the single gear ratio, but this potentially revolutionary twin-ratio solution is offering something closer to the best of both worlds.
Click to expand...

www.whichcar.com.au

Explained: ZF two-speed EV gearbox

German transmission giant cuts new teeth on two EV ratios
www.whichcar.com.au www.whichcar.com.au
 
nazmo said:
This argument still carrying on. gotta love the internet.

Thing is. I have never, ever enjoyed driving an auto car until dual clutch transmissions arrived. I then eventually drove a modern fast shifting sports car auto matic (torque converter) and its as good.

I do agree, on cheaper cars, stay away from auto, for various reasons, power, quality, lack of fart noises.

But on anything luxury or sport. Im very happy with a fast shifting auto/dual clutch transmission. Makes living with the car easier. and when hammering around the mountain passes, you can focus on the perfect line, and not fail at perfect heal toing. I can guarantee that almost NOBODY on this forum can drive a manual, do blips and rev matching close to what a well programmed auto can.
Click to expand...

My name is not NOBODY,it's Falcon786 and let me tell you manual gearbox assisted braking becomes addictive!

Yes blipping on the down shift is an art that eventually comes to you naturally without thinking,so yes I'm a manual gearbox fan and yet I don't own a single manual as I like BMW's diesel engines and they don't quite work so well with a manual gearbox,too quick changes needed and heavy clutches due to torque etc....the ZF auto boxes just work better with BMW diesels.

There was a time where I would spit at auto gearboxes,but as mentioned by others here that time has passed as modern high quality auto boxes are things of beauty!
 
falcon786 said:
My name is not NOBODY,it's Falcon786 and let me tell you manual gearbox assisted braking becomes addictive!

Yes blipping on the down shift is an art that eventually comes to you naturally without thinking,so yes I'm a manual gearbox fan and yet I don't own a single manual as I like BMW's diesel engines and they don't quite work so well with a manual gearbox,too quick changes needed and heavy clutches due to torque etc....the ZF auto boxes just work better with BMW diesels.

There was a time where I would spit at auto gearboxes,but as mentioned by others here that time has passed as modern high quality auto boxes are things of beauty!
Click to expand...

As long as they are torque convertors .. then what you say may be correct. As to some of the other el-cheapo gimmick ones ----- not at all things of beauty.

And gearbox assisted braking is essential for 4 x 4 driving on really bad terrain
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top
Sign up to the MyBroadband newsletter
X