That looks...safe...

 

ooh ill offer an after market fake clutch pedal for the guys who still want to feel like they are using their left foot for something

 

But zoom... that double-H pattern things is important too. I really don't like the feel of +/- forward/backward only. Like when riding a motorcycle... sucks for skipping gears and such.

 

I'm 100% with you on this one. All the F1 technologies, like traction control and the semi-auto manual gear boxes etc., are meant to make the car easier to drive faster. Which they do, but they also partially negate the driver's skill as a key element of the racing.

Likewise for road cars, a really good SMG can probably shift better than me, but it's certainly not as fun! I love the foot work, the feel of shifting in the H pattern, the mechanical feel of the gear engagement, and the live vibrations that the shift **** emits. SMG is too sterile in comparison.

However, for those that like or really do need an auto for whatever reasons, SMG is terrific. It's sorely needed to have a proper alternative to the 6 spd MT in the RX-8. But I'd still put improving the Renesis to have more torque and hp (in that order) as a higher priority.

 

I'm with RX-Hatchi...I love the double H!!!

 

Don't forget this is a thread about the Sassou concept.. and not the future transmission choices of the RX-8 :D

 

You and I are seeing eye to eye.

I'd never buy another auto much less an SMG. But I do think that the SMG makes for a better alternative to a manual on sports cars than a traditional auto or even a manual shift auto.

See my posts in the M5 thread. The SMG is certainly a better and more consistent performer than a manual transmission. All the electronic nannying makes a car easier to handle at the limits. It also removes a certain element from cars... that thing that all real enthusiasts love... that which makes us passionate about cars/bikes. Like the smell of oil, race fuel and rubber at the track. The vibration of the engine between your legs or the shifter in your hand. The feel of the road through the steering wheel, suspension, engine and transmission. The connection between man and machine. I would never give up this element. This feeling from this union when pushing towards the limits.

So yeah... the SMG might be "better" on paper, but it's not better in reality. And as I said in the M5 thread... do you think you can take a pro driver with you both in RX-8's? SMG gives an edge when driving at 9/10's. I certainly hope none of you are doing that on public roads. How many of you think you can get 9/10's of your car's performance on the track?

 

I agree with most of your post, however I am a true enthusiast. I drive an auto. Being an enthusiast doesn't mean I have go through the archaic procedure of gear selection. It's all about the drive for me. You take away from the drive when you take away from the experience. The normal manual transmission takes away from the experience for me. SMG for me, all the way (get with the program carmakers). Barring that, I'll settle for the auto.

 

The opposite for me, and apparantly other people as well. Not having total control over gear selection and clutch engagement disconnects me from the driving experience. I'm no longer driving... just steering a car.

To each his own... but if automakers go SMG or auto only... I'll never buy another new car. P E R I O D.