Date: Tue, 15 Apr 2003 22:21:38 +0200 From: "Mark Gerritsma" <nl.autonopsamtmfweb.nld> Subject: Re: GM to increase SAAB lineup
B&D <NO_SPAMnopsamCOM> schreef: > The Chrysler manumatic is awful, I agree. They are getting better, > though, and even high end cars are tending to be sold with at least > automatic clutching (Ferrari springs to mind!). The Infiniti G35 > with an automatic/manumatic is a very good example, as is the > Tiptronic offered by Audi/VW. You have forgotten to mention the newest incarnation which is Audi's DSG transmission. Essentially these are two three speed manual transmissions with their own (automatic) clutches built into a single gearbox. You intermittently use the one or the other part of the gearbox, so the other one can preselect the next gear. If you want to shift to the next gear, you just have to disengage one clutch and engage the other one, thus drastically reducing the shift times. The journalists who test drove the cars equipped with it (Audi TT 3.2 V6 and VW Golf R32) had very positive impressions. > The other ones on offer that are kind of interesting is the CVT's > that are being revived - the same speed as a stick and better mileage > than a stick - but no clutching. Another originally Dutch invention which finally is getting the credits it should have gotten years ago. -- mvg, Mark Gerritsma