It’s no secret: the general buying public has largely fallen out of love with the manual transmission. The only true benefit the gearbox offers these days are a fun to drive factor and a heightened sense of engagement with a vehicle. Automatics are, simply, much quicker now.
So, how about the best of both worlds? A manual transmission that can act like an automatic to please everyone. Former General Motors executive, Bob Lutz, sounded off on the topic in his latest Road and Track column after a reader suggested the technology.
The reader states:
With the prevalence of computer-controlled powertrains in cars today, it should be relatively easy to install a clutch pedal and shifter and employ software to make the automatic transmission act like a manual. This way, manufacturers would only need to integrate a single transmission to satisfy all their customers.
Lutz says it could easily be done, but questions why. The engineering and design needed would add cost and complications to satisfy a very small portion of the market. Translation: it’s best to keep building cars with a standalone manual gearbox option.
There will likely always be manual gearbox options for the sportiest cars in the near future, but there’s no denying automatics offer more benefits these days.
Comments
See I didn’t get what you did from what Bob said. What I got from it is that Automatics are better, manuals are obsolete and antiquated and have no reason to exist, so get over it.
we are talking about economies of scale. Manuals will always be simpler to build, have less friction, and more control, especially over the clutch. All tractors have manuals if not select shifts. What is being discussed is if economies of scale make cutting the manual cost effective
Too few know how to drive one. Even less are buying them. Just not worth th e cost for 6% of sales.
Also like it or not the new autos are now much more efficient and faster shifting than any manual. You know when Ferrari gave up the gated shifter they had a real reason.
It is sad the a manual is do rare but the market makes the call.
You want more manuals teach a kid to drive one and get them yo put the phone down.
With the newer hybrid and EREV models, there will not be any shifter needed, either. That is 19th century technology. Who ever loves a “manual” should use a engine hand crank, too!
A manual is still a “car guys” way to drive for fun. My C7 Corvette with a 7 speed is a joy to drive. The “hill hold” eliminates most of the stress of driving a manual. I have had over 100 cars and only 10 of them were manuals: Corvettes and M BMW’s.
While losing the manual it bad the autonomous car will be the very undoing for the car enthusiast.
Bod enough not to shift but if we get to the point they remove the wheel from our hands we truly have lost it all from our love and hobby.