There has been some talk about the possible appearance of a new 5-spd auto transmission for the 2005 RX-8 so the below info is a little bit interesting. I didn't see that this has been posted yet so here it is...

"This next generation transmission - which combines the advantages of an automatic transmission with the flexibility and low fuel consumption of a manual transmission - is available with Mazda2's MZI 1.4-litre petrol and the MZ-C 1.4 common-rail turbo diesel engines.

This new system performs clutch operation via a clutch actuator. One electric motor takes the place of the clutch, while two motors do the shifting, all controlled by an advanced transmission control unit.

The system has a display in the instrument panel that indicates what gear is engaged, both for manual and automatic modes. It is floor-mounted with a manual-style gearshift lever; drivers only need to move the gearshift left from the neutral position to initiate the manual mode. To shift up or down, the driver merely tips + or - respectively, and the system even blips the throttle when the driver downshifts to ensure just the right engine speed, and to guarantee smooth and precise gear changes.

Mazda's Auto-Shift-Manual has been developed to redress the disadvantages of traditional manual transmission systems. It includes various functions that ensure optimal gear changing in specific situations. These include:

* Creep Function: in first or reverse gear, the clutch is partially engaged and a small amount of torque is transmitted. As an added safety feature, if any door is open while the creep function is active then a warning sounds and the current gear is flashed on the instrument cluster display.

* Clutch Overheating Protection: if Auto-Shift-Manual senses that the clutch is overheating, the clutch engages faster and less smoothly to warn the driver about the imminent risk of overheating.

* Driving Down a Steep Descent: if Auto-Shift-Manual detects that the vehicle is driving down a steep descent then it prevents up-shifting below a certain engine speed to maximise the benefits of engine braking. In addition, it shifts down a gear when the brake pedal is depressed, if this is permitted by the engine speed.

* Detection of Driving Resistance: if Auto-Shift-Manual detects driving resistance (e.g. climbing a hill or towing a trailer) it then selects the gearshift timing according to the magnitude of the driving resistance, and thus helps avoid frequent gearshifts back and forth between the gears.

* Detection of Fast-Off Mode: When the driver suddenly releases the accelerator pedal, ASM suppresses an immediate upshift to the next higher gear in order to give the driver a more direct driving feel and to maximise the benefits of engine braking.

Mazda Auto-Shift-Manual's automatic mode - which operates if the gearshift is not toggled into the manual mode - has been designed with advanced software that constantly evaluates the angle of the throttle pedal, torque output and wheel speed, among other factors, in order to supply the ideal gear in all situations. The instrument panel display constantly informs the driver what gear he or she is currently in. "

wow, sounds great... any chance of mazda putting this tranny on any other cars?

Nice find Buger. As chip prices continue to decrease while processing power continues to increase, there's going to be more and more fly by wire systems. Can't wait to test the new system.

The interesting thing is that their first cars are of the 1.4 liter variety; not a whole lot of torque.

They couldn't put the current automatic on the high power engine. I wonder if they will be able to do this transmission either.

-Mr. Wigggles

This would be a cool feature. If I read it right its like the hydralic shift transmissions on Aston Martins and Ferrari.

I read an article once that these cars are faster than an equivalent engine with pure manual transmission. The reason was the computer could do a perfect shift everytime. It could control the rpm to the exact level for entry into the next gear based on demand and do it faster than a human can do it.

It would work great with the RX-8 paddle shifters.

that sounds pretty awesome, hopefully they develop a 6spd
________
Magic Flight (http://www.vaporshop.com/mflb-vaporizer.html)

I just drove what must be Mazda's prototype in Ireland a few weeks ago. It was on a 1.4L Ford Fiesta :) Just kidding(sort of), it was the first SMG transmission I have driven. It was a real 5sp manual gear box with a computer controlled clutch EXACTLY as described above. "Sporty" was not what came to mind while driving it.

"More than a manual
Introducing Durashift. One transmission for two kinds of driving. Switch effortlessly between clutch-free manual control and intelligent automatic mode, for hassle-free driving in any conditions. Now available on Ford Fiesta. " - www.ford.ie

Ford Durashift Flash Demo (http://www.ford.ie/ie/fiesta/fie_experience/fie_durash/#)

IMO this technology (only refering to Durashit), (oops left off an "f") will not come to the RX-8 for good reason, it is a poor man's automatic and not performance oriented. Otherwise, the atx already in the RX-8 will suffice. I guess it is possible, but alot of work is required to turn what I drove into anything close to the 6sp manual in the RX-8.

WN

Buger,

What is the source or reference for the quotes?

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While I can't speak for the specific variant you drove - Why is that Wingnut? Why would it NOT be appropriate technology for a Rx8. It seems good enough for F1 or Ferrari or BMW.

As these transmissions are tuned and brought more into the mainstream this is PRECISELY what kind of transmission a rotary has been begging for for decades now. In the not to distant future it will be more mainstream on more sports cars and work it's way downward. As a mid level sports car the Rx8 program managers would be wise to adapt a world class manumatic or variation of the automatic to the Rx8 w/o compromising engine performance as they have done now apparently w/ what appears to be a ho-hum off the shelf slushbox.

Hi Pgtr,

Are you still tired of driving your 5-speed in traffic? :)

I get some emails on auto news releases. I posted the info a couple of days after reading it since I didn't see anybody else post anything about it.

I quoted directly from a Mazda UK press release named 34343maz "NEW FIVE-SPEED AUTO-SHIFT-MANUAL TRANSMISSION ENHANCES MAZDA2 LINE-UP".

A google search of "auto-shift-manual" finds the news release on carpages.co.uk.

http://www.carpages.co.uk/mazda/mazda_mazda2_new_auto_shift_manual_transmission_25 _10_03.asp

Brian

Originally posted by Wingnut
I just drove what must be Mazda's prototype in Ireland a few weeks ago. It was on a 1.4L Ford Fiesta :) Just kidding(sort of), it was the first SMG transmission I have driven. It was a real 5sp manual gear box with a computer controlled clutch EXACTLY as described above. "Sporty" was not what came to mind while driving it.

"More than a manual
Introducing Durashift. One transmission for two kinds of driving. Switch effortlessly between clutch-free manual control and intelligent automatic mode, for hassle-free driving in any conditions. Now available on Ford Fiesta. " - www.ford.ie

Ford Durashift Flash Demo (http://www.ford.ie/ie/fiesta/fie_experience/fie_durash/#)

IMO this technology (only refering to Durashit), (oops left off an "f") will not come to the RX-8 for good reason, it is a poor man's automatic and not performance oriented. Otherwise, the atx already in the RX-8 will suffice. I guess it is possible, but alot of work is required to turn what I drove into anything close to the 6sp manual in the RX-8.

WN

Hi Wingnut,

While Ford and Mazda do have a relationship, I wouldn't automatically assume that Ford's version of a SMG type transmission "must" be a prototype of Mazda's.

While you didn't think the transmission felt "sporty" on your drive, it could have had something to do with the fact that you were driving a Ford Fiesta? :)

Brian

Hey Buger,
Not to say that there can't be a SMG for the RX-8, just this is not it. I looked at the Mazda.co.uk site and went to the MX2 page and it IS the Ford Fiesta! Even more so that my old MX-6 was a Ford Probe. Same car, SLIGHTLY different sheetmetal. The same engine lineup, 1.4L petrol, 1.4L diesel, 1.6L petrol. And yes, you are right, the lack of a "sporty" feel was more from the fact it was a Ford Fiesta that it was a Durashift xmission :)

I just think this is not the dawn of a SMG for RX-8. Something more appropriate would be like the SMG for the BMW M3, which is wicked. And also happens to be a $2,400 add on to the base price with the manual transmission. One description I read:

"However before I go on and on about SMG it's important to remember that it's not an automatic with manual controls but a real clutchless manual transmission similar to what's in the BMW/Williams F1 car. It's a transmission that at once can shift faster than any human yet when in regular automatic mode can go almost unnoticed in daily operation.

Upon sitting down next to the SMG for the first time I have to admit I wasn't entirely sure how to get the thing going. It can be a bit tricky without some explanation at first. The default mode on the SMG is actually automatic but a quick flip of the wrist gets it in manual mode. To change gears there are two paddles just behind the wheel - one to upshift and another to downshift. My first thought was it's like playing Grand Tourismo with the best feedback controller in the world. My second thought was "oh my God this is for real"

One of the keys to fast acceleration in the SMG is switching the sport mode on and turning the shift mode to S5 (as high as it normally goes). If you want to really impress someone you can turn on the somewhat hidden S6 shift mode and enjoy some of the qiuckest and most neck snapping shifts you'll ever feel. Once more, when you downshift the engine it will automatically blimp the throttle to the optimal rpm. The sound is so addicting that you find yourself slowing down and speeding up just to hear it. These upshifts combined with the melodic inline six and the amazing factory exhaust make you want to forget about the radio or CD player. Let's hope this option makes it's way onto at least the next generation MCS."
From http://www.bridger.us/mini/?Y=2003&M=09&D=30&TitleID=TheBMWM3SMGVsTheMINICooperS

Later,
WN