Semi Auto gearbox?
Discussion
I am thinking of getting a lease car which means I will be able to choose a car that is currently brand new.
I am looking in in the hot hatch range, VW Polo to Golf sizes.
I want a gearbox that is Auto but also has some scope to change into manual. I appreciate that the manual will never be as good as a normal manual.
I am considering VW DSG but can anyone recommend any other gearboxes?
I am also interested in 'clutchless' manual gearboxes like what Ford seem to have. Any thoughts?
I am looking in in the hot hatch range, VW Polo to Golf sizes.
I want a gearbox that is Auto but also has some scope to change into manual. I appreciate that the manual will never be as good as a normal manual.
I am considering VW DSG but can anyone recommend any other gearboxes?
I am also interested in 'clutchless' manual gearboxes like what Ford seem to have. Any thoughts?
I have a semi auto and nearly always use the Semi- bit, not the same as a manual, but pretty good, especially if you go for the steering wheel controls so you can keep both hands on the wheel.
Just wish the bloody thing would change down when I want!
Nice to be able to relax and let it be an auto with the option there for hooning
Just wish the bloody thing would change down when I want!
Nice to be able to relax and let it be an auto with the option there for hooning
BoRED S2upid said:
I have an Audi Semi Auto and its vary rare I use the Semi bit but then again I could just be a lazy sod.
Me too on the MB, if I want to change down for quicker progress I simply press the accelerator to the floor and hold until the desired speed is reached, the tiptronic function never gets used.I have a BMW auto with steering wheel paddles for "manual" gear changes. Auto is ideal for regular stop start commuting and I find the semi auto software very good for both up and down shifts when pushing on a bit.
The only thing that does catch me out occasionally is slowing to approach roundabouts, I go to drop to 2nd but at the same time the revs drop to the limit that the computer wants to drop down as well and you end up in 1st well up the rev range. Can make thngs a bit stuttery and pick up a little sharper than you expect!
I have also recently driven an E92 M3 on road and track using the DCT gearbox, which is very similar to the VAG DSG system and fount it to be excellent. Didn't try the Auto mode though so can't vouch for that.
Can only advise going out and driving both versions of the same car.
The only thing that does catch me out occasionally is slowing to approach roundabouts, I go to drop to 2nd but at the same time the revs drop to the limit that the computer wants to drop down as well and you end up in 1st well up the rev range. Can make thngs a bit stuttery and pick up a little sharper than you expect!
I have also recently driven an E92 M3 on road and track using the DCT gearbox, which is very similar to the VAG DSG system and fount it to be excellent. Didn't try the Auto mode though so can't vouch for that.
Can only advise going out and driving both versions of the same car.
Virtually every conventional auto you can buy will allow manual shifting.
The typical gate pattern is P R N D 3 2 1 (which stands for Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Third, Second, First). Move the shift lever to another position and the car will change gear. You don't need Tiptronic, flappy paddles or anything else.
Depending on the gearbox some will use lower gears up to the number you have selected. In other words, selecting "3" may simply lock out "D" but still use 1,2,3
Depending on the gearbox some will override your gear choice and change up anyway if you get close to hitting the rev limiter.
But watch out. Manually shifting any auto can lead to accelerated wear on the clutches and bands inside the transmission - especially if you downshift for engine braking. At the end of the day the brakes (which are cheap) are for stopping and the gearbox (which is expensive) is for driving. Similarly an auto gearbox which is subjected to regular full-throttle gear-changes will suffer accelerated wear on clutches and bands, even in automatic mode.
The typical gate pattern is P R N D 3 2 1 (which stands for Park, Reverse, Neutral, Drive, Third, Second, First). Move the shift lever to another position and the car will change gear. You don't need Tiptronic, flappy paddles or anything else.
Depending on the gearbox some will use lower gears up to the number you have selected. In other words, selecting "3" may simply lock out "D" but still use 1,2,3
Depending on the gearbox some will override your gear choice and change up anyway if you get close to hitting the rev limiter.
But watch out. Manually shifting any auto can lead to accelerated wear on the clutches and bands inside the transmission - especially if you downshift for engine braking. At the end of the day the brakes (which are cheap) are for stopping and the gearbox (which is expensive) is for driving. Similarly an auto gearbox which is subjected to regular full-throttle gear-changes will suffer accelerated wear on clutches and bands, even in automatic mode.
So basically all a flappy paddle does is the same as what any gear stick will allow you to do? Is it better in reality to use the flappy paddles than the traditional stick?
I quite like the idea of a tradiotnal looking manual stick but you dont need to press a clutch in. I am unsure if this is what the Ford automatic is.
I quite like the idea of a tradiotnal looking manual stick but you dont need to press a clutch in. I am unsure if this is what the Ford automatic is.
Mojooo said:
So basically all a flappy paddle does is the same as what any gear stick will allow you to do? Is it better in reality to use the flappy paddles than the traditional stick?
I quite like the idea of a tradiotnal looking manual stick but you dont need to press a clutch in. I am unsure if this is what the Ford automatic is.
A lot of sequential gearboxes have standard looking sticks- both true SMG ones and the automated manual ones.I quite like the idea of a tradiotnal looking manual stick but you dont need to press a clutch in. I am unsure if this is what the Ford automatic is.
On a traditional auto the shift lever is/was a mechanical linkage to the valve block which controls the transmission.
On more modern autos (Tiptronic, Steptronic etc) at least some of the lever movements are detected and transmitted to the transmission valve block electrically instead. When flappy paddles are fitted they are often just another pair of switches which replicate some manual movements of the shift lever.
Modern autos have a lot of electronic interaction with the engine management system. This gives "torque management" during gearshifts so that the small clutches aren't ripped to shreds by a heavy-footed or ham-fisted driver. On an older car this level of protection may not be present and manual shifting could worsen the problem.
[Guess why AMG Mercs are autos? Stops idiot drivers shredding the clutch! Ferrari 458 Italia also.]
On more modern autos (Tiptronic, Steptronic etc) at least some of the lever movements are detected and transmitted to the transmission valve block electrically instead. When flappy paddles are fitted they are often just another pair of switches which replicate some manual movements of the shift lever.
Modern autos have a lot of electronic interaction with the engine management system. This gives "torque management" during gearshifts so that the small clutches aren't ripped to shreds by a heavy-footed or ham-fisted driver. On an older car this level of protection may not be present and manual shifting could worsen the problem.
[Guess why AMG Mercs are autos? Stops idiot drivers shredding the clutch! Ferrari 458 Italia also.]
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