What if...

[Kevin]

Originally Posted by Jeffvette

It's a damn tiptronic. It's basically a shiftable auto (think of just going from 1 to 2 to D and then OD). If it was clutch based like the units Ferrari used, it would be soooooo much better.

the VW GTI uses clutches

[DaveK]

I do mostly the commuting to work in the Aurora, similar drive to yours Aurora - so far not had chance to drive the ZR-1 far enough to tell. I was working on the basis of the govt figures which shows both having combined rating of 20mpg.

I understand your dislike now Jeff. I assumed it was a clutch based affair like the European semi-autos I've seen - might as well have a regular auto in that case.

[Aurora40]

Originally Posted by DaveK

I understand your dislike now Jeff. I assumed it was a clutch based affair like the European semi-autos I've seen - might as well have a regular auto in that case.

It is a regular hydra-matic, torque-converter auto. I believe you still can put it in Drive, etc, and toodle on your way. The paddles are just a way to give the driver more control over the automatic if they want. I don't see how it's a bad thing, you don't have to use them. It's simply a 6-speed instead of a 4-speed. I guess I don't see the problem with that?

I agree though that GM should look into some of these more modern semi-manual trannies like the dual clutch stuff, etc. I don't think GM manufactures any (certainly not many) manual trannies, so it wouldn't be a case of them developing anything, rather of them buying it. I seem to recall stuff like the DSG VW/Audi uses can't handle a lot of power? They don't use it on any V8s or bigger I don't believe.

If they had gone with something like the F1-style tranny Ferrari uses in lieu of the 6L80, I suspect many Cadillac owners would be pissed off. The 6-speed auto is also used in the STS-V and XLR-V. Those auto-manual things are reportedly not at all smooth for everyday driving. They are purely a performance item with a rather stiff trade-off. In fact, Maserati is now introducing a traditional automatic tranny on their Quattroporte due to the roughness of the Cambiocorsa (paddle-shift automatic clutch like Ferrari) transmission.

[tomtom72]

I'm sorry for this but If GM still made the LT5 we would still be able to get parts for it......that work!

Okay I'll turn off my rant now!