What happened to...
Discussion
Years ago, I'm guessing 10, there was a lot of writing in the automotive press about a UK company that had invented a new method of changing gears seamlessly. I think it was an adaptation to a normal manual gearbox, and IIRC they had a demo until fitted to a Cerbera. The magazines were invited to drive it, but under a strict NDA.
I recall the Autocar article where their technical expert said it was incredibly simple and a real "why didn't I think of that" type of thing. Shortly afterwards it was sold to an unnamed major manufacturer, and was supposed to be making an appearance within the next few years. I never heard of it again.
Anyone else remember it, and know what happened?
I may be wrong here one some or all of the details, it was a long time ago!
I recall the Autocar article where their technical expert said it was incredibly simple and a real "why didn't I think of that" type of thing. Shortly afterwards it was sold to an unnamed major manufacturer, and was supposed to be making an appearance within the next few years. I never heard of it again.
Anyone else remember it, and know what happened?
I may be wrong here one some or all of the details, it was a long time ago!
Robotised manual boxes only had a fleeting existence. I think Lamborghini may have had a go. Possible BMW too.
The twin-clutch auto is a massively better system although it does add a bit of weight. Twin-clutch autos were "invented" many decades ago but it's taken a long time to get the computery clever enough to run them properly. The computer doesn't just run the gearbox but has full integration with the engine (and fancy LSD if fitted) to ensure optimum torque management.
The twin-clutch auto is a massively better system although it does add a bit of weight. Twin-clutch autos were "invented" many decades ago but it's taken a long time to get the computery clever enough to run them properly. The computer doesn't just run the gearbox but has full integration with the engine (and fancy LSD if fitted) to ensure optimum torque management.
Saab had something similar. There was no clutch pedal, but your usual manual gearstick. At a quick glance, you'd think it was a manual car.
You changed gear by simply lifting off the accelerator. This somehow disengaged the clutch. I don't know the technicals of it, I just remember driving one once, and it was most strange.
Is this the sort of thing you mean OP?
You changed gear by simply lifting off the accelerator. This somehow disengaged the clutch. I don't know the technicals of it, I just remember driving one once, and it was most strange.
Is this the sort of thing you mean OP?
Jazzy Jefferson said:
Saab had something similar. There was no clutch pedal, but your usual manual gearstick. At a quick glance, you'd think it was a manual car.
You changed gear by simply lifting off the accelerator. This somehow disengaged the clutch. I don't know the technicals of it, I just remember driving one once, and it was most strange.
Is this the sort of thing you mean OP?
didn't Citroen have something similar to this years ago You changed gear by simply lifting off the accelerator. This somehow disengaged the clutch. I don't know the technicals of it, I just remember driving one once, and it was most strange.
Is this the sort of thing you mean OP?
The Saab system was "Sensotronic" very odd I thought it worked on principle that when you moved the shifter it either created or broke an electronic contact that would then operate the clutch for you and did so quick enough so that when you correctly position the selector in the next gear the clutch is re-engaged.
aka_kerrly said:
The Saab system was "Sensotronic" very odd I thought it worked on principle that when you moved the shifter it either created or broke an electronic contact that would then operate the clutch for you and did so quick enough so that when you correctly position the selector in the next gear the clutch is re-engaged.
Found it - Sentronic.http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manumatic
doogz said:
Jazzy Jefferson said:
Saab had something similar. There was no clutch pedal, but your usual manual gearstick. At a quick glance, you'd think it was a manual car.
You changed gear by simply lifting off the accelerator. This somehow disengaged the clutch. I don't know the technicals of it, I just remember driving one once, and it was most strange.
Is this the sort of thing you mean OP?
Did they have a centrifugal clutch?You changed gear by simply lifting off the accelerator. This somehow disengaged the clutch. I don't know the technicals of it, I just remember driving one once, and it was most strange.
Is this the sort of thing you mean OP?
Qwert1e said:
Robotised manual boxes only had a fleeting existence. I think Lamborghini may have had a go. Possible BMW too.
The twin-clutch auto is a massively better system although it does add a bit of weight. Twin-clutch autos were "invented" many decades ago but it's taken a long time to get the computery clever enough to run them properly. The computer doesn't just run the gearbox but has full integration with the engine (and fancy LSD if fitted) to ensure optimum torque management.
The R8 used them as well, bloody terrible things, duel clutch is infinitely betterThe twin-clutch auto is a massively better system although it does add a bit of weight. Twin-clutch autos were "invented" many decades ago but it's taken a long time to get the computery clever enough to run them properly. The computer doesn't just run the gearbox but has full integration with the engine (and fancy LSD if fitted) to ensure optimum torque management.
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