[Main General Bulletin Board | BBFAQ | Post Followup ] Member Login / Signup - Members see fewer ads. - Latest Member Gallery Photos More flexibility Like This Post: - Subscribe to Daily Digest for this Bulletin Board Posted by Ari [Email] (#2847) [Profile/Gallery] (more from Ari) on Mon, 3 May 2004 11:52:40 In Reply to: why a 6 speed?, nt moore, Sun, 2 May 2004 20:08:25 Alert me when someone posts in this thread: Members do not see ads below this line. - Help Keep This Site Online - Signup

Additional gears aren't just a higher ratio. With six speeds, the designers can play with all the gear ratios to get the best mix. Since with most cars the top speed is limited by engine power, not engine speed, you make the top gear a nice, comfortable cruiser on the highway. Low rpm, low fuel use, quieter. This allows you to move the other ones around. You can set a gear (probably 3rd) to be right in the middle of the power band at 45 mph, a speed lots of us drive in town. With a 5 speed, you might have to put 45 at the top of 3rd or the bottom of 4th - forcing lots of shifting.

It's like bicycles - a 15 speed isn't any faster than a 10 speed. But with more speeds (gears), you can find just the right gear for the job. And you can get better gas milage - at least on the EPA cycle. With 6 (forward) gears, you can have the car in a higher gear (lower rpm) at more parts of the cycle, and squeeze out an extra mpg or two.

From a performance side, you can keep the car in the power band easier. So a six speed is a nice thing. Yes, it add complexity, and how much of it is marketing versus real performance? Good question. But seeing as 95% of the people get no more than 20% of the cars performance at any time, the question is moot. How many folks actually go fast enough to need the downforce provided by most add-on wings? Actually NEED the downforce (i.e. turn). Not many. But they sell.

posted by 192.249....

• why a 6 speed?, nt moore, Sun, 2 May 2004 20:08:25
  • 6 speeds and skip shift......, Mike Lynch , Mon, 3 May 2004 12:27:10
    • CAGS, serendipity, Tue, 4 May 2004 10:50:48
  • More flexibility, Ari , Mon, 3 May 2004 11:52:40 <-- Viewing This Message
  • fuel economy, GM, Mon, 3 May 2004 06:37:55
  • It's one of the reasons..., rg, Sun, 2 May 2004 21:16:07
    • I wonder how long until another cog finds its way in?, Andy E, Mon, 3 May 2004 01:38:46
      • the new M5 will have the new 7spd SMG in it too, Chris R., Tue, 4 May 2004 09:45:07
      • 9-3 Sport Hatch 3.5 and 4.5 = 7 speeds...., Mike Lynch , Mon, 3 May 2004 11:58:40
        • Yes and yes . . ., TimD, Mon, 3 May 2004 14:13:22

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