Manual v/or Automatic transmission

MX5huggy

The new Morgan Plus 6 is automatic only, when the oldest British sports car company* are fitting automatics to their ash framed historic design you know the H gate has had its days. The drive train is from the new Z4.

*Ive not checked this and they’ve had some investors from Italy I think.

SallyDucati

Well I prefer manuals, just don't feel in full control of an auto. But I generally love driving and not changing gears would take something away from that.

And auto motorbike? shudder

almillar

Seem to remember reading somewhere that using gears + engine to slow a car down a hill is outmoded, going back to the days when brakes were so crap you couldn't rely on them. Brakes = £ to replace, gearbox = £££ to repair/replace. Don't know if that is accepted wisdom, though.

No, not 'using gears', just staying in one gear. There are a few bits of advice mixed up in here, and some might be considered out of date, but they're still not bad driving.

Going down a hill, stay in a gear that will hold you back a bit - higher revs, but the engine friction keeps your speed under control. Using the brakes down a steep hill could cause them to overheat. Brakes have got better since this advice would have started, but it's still relevant. You would at least be wearing them out a bit, instead of virtually no wear (or fuel used) on the engine/gearbox.

Slowing down by 'going down through the gears' is certainly wasteful. Go down in one gear, with brakes, and dip the clutch pedal just before the revs get too low. No wear on gearbox, clutch, no fuel used on a fuel injected car, and the friction of the drivetrain helps you maintain control of the car, and also reduces wear on the brakes.

NBLondon

SallyDucati wrote: »

And auto motorbike? shudder

Aren't a lot of small scooters now automatic? (CVT of some sort). I can't see it on a powerful sport bike but what about a long-distance cruiser/tourer? I wonder if Harley-Davidson ever considered it?

facade

NBLondon wrote: »

Aren't a lot of small scooters now automatic? (CVT of some sort). I can't see it on a powerful sport bike but what about a long-distance cruiser/tourer? I wonder if Harley-Davidson ever considered it?

Moto Guzzi did the Convert donkeys years ago. It had a 2 speed gearbox and a torque converter- hence the name. I'm not sure if it changed gear by itself or if the rider selected fast/slow and rode it on the torque converter.


Honda do a range of DCT gearboxes on the larger 'bikes, I was interested in the NC700 at one time. Apparently the 'box queues up the next higher gear ready for a fast change, but slowing down or grabbing loads more throttle makes for some lengthy cog-swapping. I think they have an "auto" and a paddle shift manual mode.


AFAIK, Harley never made an official automatic on the V-twins, but there have been some after market conversions.

shinytop

SallyDucati wrote: »

Well I prefer manuals, just don't feel in full control of an auto. But I generally love driving and not changing gears would take something away from that.

And auto motorbike? shudder

There are a few but I can't see them ever catching on until we're all forced to go electric. The effort to change gear on most bikes is so minimal - moving hands and feet rather than arms and legs.

jimbo6977

I've never driven an auto that I didn't wish had a manual box. Although the 1982 MK1 Astra was hilarious, whining like a banshee at 70ish mph, which was about as fast as it could go (and thankfully so with the front splitter that actually caused lift rather than downforce).

I'd put up with an autobox if I had the funds for a yank tank - Chrysler Pacifica, or for extra offensiveness a GMC Yukon XL Denali.

facade

jimbo6977 wrote: »

I've never driven an auto that I didn't wish had a manual box.

Funnily enough, I've never driven a manual that I didn't wish had an auto box :rotfl:

crispy_chris

Cornucopia wrote: »

I've got an automatic - it's a great piece of engineering (7 speeds, dual clutch). It also works seamlessly with the adaptive cruise control at all speeds (not sure how well the manual 'box would work with the same facility).

In particular, I don't see how a manual version would work with the "traffic jam" mode, where it keeps pace with slow moving traffic automatically using accelerator, brakes and gears.

I've got this same feature on my current car (auto with DSG & adaptive cruise control) and it's a game changer for me. Makes driving so much more of a relaxing experience.

ic

Me three! As well as maintaining a pace, or coming to a halt in stop start traffic, my car steers as well following the lines. Getting closer to self drive cars...