Okay, so we know for sure there's going to be a 6-speed manual gearbox, but how about the automatics?

A friend of mine told me he saw on a british rx-8 website that the automatics will be selectable between an average automatic or a steeringwheel-mounted paddle-shift... similar to the mercedes SL55 AMG.... anyone know any truth to this?

The mazda 6 is going to have a sport shifter.

I'm just looking for something that can be switched between an auto and a manual.

 

The paddle shift automatic is news to me and I have been following the rx8 very closely. I doubt that it is true if Mazda is serious about keeping the price affordable.

 

That was in one of the original concept vehicles, it was a clutchless manual.

 

According to the R&T article, there will be a conventional (no paddles) 4 or 5 speed automatic.

 

this is from the prview of the mazda6....

"A four-speed, electronically controlled sport automatic transmission with overdrive is optional for the four-cylinder. A five-speed, electronically controlled sport automatic transmission with overdrive is optional for the V6. Both automatics feature a manual shift mode."

so what do you guys think of this? and what exactly is a "sport automatic transmission .... feature a manual shift mode."

is this like one of those automatic transmissions where you can shift it manually by moving the shifter left or right? like a sport-tronic?

i hope so. i hear those things are a beast.

 

In a word Rex, yes.

They are definately more fun than a conventional automatic, but not as much fun as a standard transmission.

But a good compromise for those who don't want a 3rd pedal.

 

Following the current trend, they'll probably offer a Tiptronic/SportShift/E-shift, etc like Audi/Porsche, Honda/Acura, and Lexus. While these are better than your regular automatics, they're not perfect. The tend to shift a little quicker than an automatic, but there is still a noticeable lag. Downshifts tend to be rough.

On a car that is torque-challenged , automatics usually sap a lot of power and feel. On the Honda Prelude, the 4-speed Sportshift is considerably slower than the 5-speed manual, partly because of the added power-loss of the auto's torque converter and partly because you have 1 less gear ratio. The Prelude motor is fairly high-strung and has a torque peak at 5000rpm. To make the most of it, you really need a manual tranny.

The RX-8 motor is similarly high-strung and best suited for the manual. If you still think the manual is not for you, be sure to take an extended test drive with the auto tranny and see if you could put up with it. You'd probably have to drive a manual and auto car back to back to make a decent comparison.

BTW, there are some other manual-automatics on the market now, like those offered on the BMW M3, Ferrari 360 Modena, and Toyota MR-Spyder. These are actually more on the side of a manual tranny, since they don't have torque converters. These are also considerably more expensive and complicated. Eventually, systems like these will replace most automatics, but that's probably a few years away at best.

 

In Sept. issue of "Car & Driver," the Toyota MR2 with the SMT shifter took 8.2 seconds to get to 60 mph, versus 6.8 for the 5-speed manual. That's a 1.4 second difference. Here's the link, for those that like to check sources.

If done correctly, these shift-it-yourself automatics can be every bit as fast on the track as a manual, or even faster in extreme cases. In inexpensive cars (say, less than $50k) they usually are slower. Add to that the fact that they're way less fun, and I don't see the point. I can only imagine they'd be useful to someone that was physically incapable of using a clutch. I drive through D.C. rushhour traffic, and I'd still MUCH rather have a manual than an auto. But that's just my opinion.

 

I just read the R&T article about BMWs SMG (clutchless automatic/manual transmission). I WOULD pay the extra $2000.00 for this option in the RX8. In my mind I would be Michael Schumacher everytime I fired up the RX8 with paddle shifter (not if it was one with a torque converter though). Now....if I could just get them to add the push button starter.

Todd

 

I wouldn't... I just like the feel of rowing thru the gears.. there's a total loss of that with SMG. And I can't have that