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The 06 Paddle Shifting
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12
From:
RE: The 06 Paddle Shifting
ORIGINAL: Lee Willis
I bought my Iptronic largely because I wanted a less "involving" car asa daily driver.
The bottom line onf the sequential shift transmissions, though, is that in a few years, when the bugs are worked out, a car will be faster with them than with any other transmission. So there is one (or more) in my future.
I bought my Iptronic largely because I wanted a less "involving" car asa daily driver.
The bottom line onf the sequential shift transmissions, though, is that in a few years, when the bugs are worked out, a car will be faster with them than with any other transmission. So there is one (or more) in my future.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,105
From: Central North Carolina
RE: The 06 Paddle Shifting
I think that's true - shifting is more fun: I love to shift the 'vette. But there is some sort of purist inside me who insists on the best engineering and prefers the fastest, regardless.
On reflection, I probably will never own an SMG car, or no more than one, because I expect the SMG will be trumped by something else. I always liked the concept of CVTs (continuously variable transmissions) but realized they had a long way to go in terms of ability to handle power, and losses. But they have improved a lot in the past few years. In the long run, I think they might win out: they are simpler and more robust in overall concept, . . .
But it won't matter. It is clearly only a matter of time before hybrids out-perform pure-gas in any street applications except pure top speed. I know hybrids started out with a fuel economy focus, but the advantages are so obvious that I expect every manufacturer to go there soon for cheap performance: don't add cylinders or valves or cams: just some cheap electric motors and batteries and a $100 control module and double the torque, which is where it is at in street applications. That trend has already started, with the Lexus LS650: a car that uses hybrid power to outperform any gasoline version of itself (or its competition). The type of CVT in the Toyota hybrid drive (and the latest Ford hybrids, too) -- in which the electric motor is built into a sun gear housing and controls the torque transfer and gear ratio through the transmission, is pure genius: you can't use it with pure gasoline, but with a hybrid approach it becomes an efficient CVT for the gas engine and a good electric motor for efficiency and added torque. Think 800 ft lbs in a 2015 vette with 30 mpg around town (very realistic goals).
On reflection, I probably will never own an SMG car, or no more than one, because I expect the SMG will be trumped by something else. I always liked the concept of CVTs (continuously variable transmissions) but realized they had a long way to go in terms of ability to handle power, and losses. But they have improved a lot in the past few years. In the long run, I think they might win out: they are simpler and more robust in overall concept, . . .
But it won't matter. It is clearly only a matter of time before hybrids out-perform pure-gas in any street applications except pure top speed. I know hybrids started out with a fuel economy focus, but the advantages are so obvious that I expect every manufacturer to go there soon for cheap performance: don't add cylinders or valves or cams: just some cheap electric motors and batteries and a $100 control module and double the torque, which is where it is at in street applications. That trend has already started, with the Lexus LS650: a car that uses hybrid power to outperform any gasoline version of itself (or its competition). The type of CVT in the Toyota hybrid drive (and the latest Ford hybrids, too) -- in which the electric motor is built into a sun gear housing and controls the torque transfer and gear ratio through the transmission, is pure genius: you can't use it with pure gasoline, but with a hybrid approach it becomes an efficient CVT for the gas engine and a good electric motor for efficiency and added torque. Think 800 ft lbs in a 2015 vette with 30 mpg around town (very realistic goals).
Thread Starter
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 102
From:
RE: The 06 Paddle Shifting
All great replies! It seems that the opinions are pretty much split even, leaving me still in a quandry. I do agree that nothing quite beats the manual shift whereas the paddle could relieve some of the agnony for being quicker on the shift. So, what to do? I think I will need to drive both to make a better judgement call on this one.
I am currently in Lisbon and tooling around in a little Seat Leon 5 spd. The manual shift is definitely a necessity to spool up that little 1.4 litre engine (not to be compared to a C6) but i do enjoy it. I have practically gone "native" in my driving style as you need to be aggressive (or get run over) to survive driving in Portugal.
More updates to come soon.
I am currently in Lisbon and tooling around in a little Seat Leon 5 spd. The manual shift is definitely a necessity to spool up that little 1.4 litre engine (not to be compared to a C6) but i do enjoy it. I have practically gone "native" in my driving style as you need to be aggressive (or get run over) to survive driving in Portugal.
More updates to come soon.
Joined: Aug 2006
Posts: 12
From:
RE: The 06 Paddle Shifting
Silver:
It's a quandry indeed. You have to go with your gut. I went into the SMG knowing that I would prefer a full manual but thought a change would be good- and I regretted it. The problem is you are stuck once you've got it - and if it's your "ride", you HAVE TO love it don't you? Getting decent test drives in both is a must if you're not settled on one vs. the other. I'd strongly suggest making sure you get to do some more driving than just thumping around a short circuit or not get into any corners. The true test of whether you are OK with an auto (or paddle auto) is how you feel about changing down into corners. If you're not a "heal n' toe-er" and don't love the idea of thumping down through the box to power out of a corner, then go with the slusher.
It's a quandry indeed. You have to go with your gut. I went into the SMG knowing that I would prefer a full manual but thought a change would be good- and I regretted it. The problem is you are stuck once you've got it - and if it's your "ride", you HAVE TO love it don't you? Getting decent test drives in both is a must if you're not settled on one vs. the other. I'd strongly suggest making sure you get to do some more driving than just thumping around a short circuit or not get into any corners. The true test of whether you are OK with an auto (or paddle auto) is how you feel about changing down into corners. If you're not a "heal n' toe-er" and don't love the idea of thumping down through the box to power out of a corner, then go with the slusher.
Joined: Jul 2006
Posts: 29
RE: The 06 Paddle Shifting
>It seems that the opinions are pretty much split even, leaving me still in a quandry.
It all depends upon how you drive your car. There is no right or wrong here, IMHO!
I live in the countryside. 2 cars at the only traffic light in the area is called a jam.....LMAO!!! I get to ride as I want, the Police aren't even a bother. So for me tight turns and a "non-enforced" speed limit on most roads says.....MANUAL!.....loads of fun!
For many years I lived in large Cities. The driving experience is totally different in Cities. I chose Autos when driving mainly in the city. Cities kill the fun of true driving, so you may as well just relax in a nice auto ride and enjoy the 5MPH you achieve
The gearbox you select needs to match your lifestyle.......there is no right or wrong answer to your qestion
It all depends upon how you drive your car. There is no right or wrong here, IMHO!
I live in the countryside. 2 cars at the only traffic light in the area is called a jam.....LMAO!!! I get to ride as I want, the Police aren't even a bother. So for me tight turns and a "non-enforced" speed limit on most roads says.....MANUAL!.....loads of fun!
For many years I lived in large Cities. The driving experience is totally different in Cities. I chose Autos when driving mainly in the city. Cities kill the fun of true driving, so you may as well just relax in a nice auto ride and enjoy the 5MPH you achieve
The gearbox you select needs to match your lifestyle.......there is no right or wrong answer to your qestion
Joined: Feb 2006
Posts: 13
RE: The 06 Paddle Shifting
I have the paddle shifting. This was actually a compromise with my wife, she wanted all our cars to be auto so she could drive them if need be. I am SOOOOO sorry I agreed to it
. If I had a time machine, there would be a stick shift in my garage right now. Since I got the car a few months back, I have only TRULY used the paddle shifting once. I took a drive to Crestline to check it out on the curves. The response is no where near what I'd like. The problem really is that with a manual stickshift YOU decide the split second when and how much of the power hits the wheels. With the paddles, you have to WAIT for the car to shift - it's not like 'hit the paddle and BAM;' it's more like 'hit the padde.................shift.' Feels just like when you drive it in D and all of a sudden decide to floor it, it takes a few SECONDS for the car to downshift, then the transmission grabs, then you get the power. Downshifting is exactly the same. And don't try to go into the wrong gear at the wrong time because it will NOT let you - it becomes unavailable.
Your best, best, best bet is to RENT one for a week and try it. A true driving afficionado will stick to the stick.
. If I had a time machine, there would be a stick shift in my garage right now. Since I got the car a few months back, I have only TRULY used the paddle shifting once. I took a drive to Crestline to check it out on the curves. The response is no where near what I'd like. The problem really is that with a manual stickshift YOU decide the split second when and how much of the power hits the wheels. With the paddles, you have to WAIT for the car to shift - it's not like 'hit the paddle and BAM;' it's more like 'hit the padde.................shift.' Feels just like when you drive it in D and all of a sudden decide to floor it, it takes a few SECONDS for the car to downshift, then the transmission grabs, then you get the power. Downshifting is exactly the same. And don't try to go into the wrong gear at the wrong time because it will NOT let you - it becomes unavailable. Your best, best, best bet is to RENT one for a week and try it. A true driving afficionado will stick to the stick.
Senior Member
Joined: Jul 2005
Posts: 2,105
From: Central North Carolina
RE: The 06 Paddle Shifting
I guess it is in the programming, and if so, I am disappointed in GM, but a couple of points.
Like your car's A6, my Porsche's Tiptronic (5-spd auto or paddle shift) takes that split second to shift after you press the button, too. But I have learned to anticipate this and press the paddle early (you really have to think ahead when shifting manually, and learning to anticipate the delay in shifting is no more difficult than learning the timing of the "Christmas tree" lights as they cycle at the starting line at the drag strip).
But most important, Porsche Tiptronics (but not those in Audis, VWs and others, etc., I understand) have a very cool "kick-down" feature which I had assumed GM would copy, because it is widely lauded as very good. While almost all automatics downshift when the throttle is floored, the Tiptronic does this differently. It responds, not to how far the throttle is pushed, but how quickly. It will kick down a gear instantly, and I mean just almost instantly, whenever the throttle is snapped open rapidly. I have learned to tap the throttle with a "snap" down about an inch, so quickly, that I get a downshift or even a double downshift in an instant just with my foot, all before the engine even responds or sees the "tap". This feature works while the car is in "auto" mode. The programming then seems to sense how long the hold the gear and not upshift. This has become almost intuitive to me: I can leave it in drive and yet downshift or double downshift in the blink of an eye.
Try it on your car. I cannot believe that GM would not put this type of "smarts" into its best auto transmission.
Like your car's A6, my Porsche's Tiptronic (5-spd auto or paddle shift) takes that split second to shift after you press the button, too. But I have learned to anticipate this and press the paddle early (you really have to think ahead when shifting manually, and learning to anticipate the delay in shifting is no more difficult than learning the timing of the "Christmas tree" lights as they cycle at the starting line at the drag strip).
But most important, Porsche Tiptronics (but not those in Audis, VWs and others, etc., I understand) have a very cool "kick-down" feature which I had assumed GM would copy, because it is widely lauded as very good. While almost all automatics downshift when the throttle is floored, the Tiptronic does this differently. It responds, not to how far the throttle is pushed, but how quickly. It will kick down a gear instantly, and I mean just almost instantly, whenever the throttle is snapped open rapidly. I have learned to tap the throttle with a "snap" down about an inch, so quickly, that I get a downshift or even a double downshift in an instant just with my foot, all before the engine even responds or sees the "tap". This feature works while the car is in "auto" mode. The programming then seems to sense how long the hold the gear and not upshift. This has become almost intuitive to me: I can leave it in drive and yet downshift or double downshift in the blink of an eye.
Try it on your car. I cannot believe that GM would not put this type of "smarts" into its best auto transmission.
Senior Member
Joined: Sep 2006
Posts: 241
RE: The 06 Paddle Shifting
Silver,
I’d prefer an auto during the times when traffic is heavy. But when I get out in the open I prefer the stick.
But here’s the thing with a stick: One thing that I like to do is come into a tight turn at around 60mph with the clutch in and the trans in 2nd. Then just as I enter the turn I let out on the clutch (quickly) and the rear end slides around until the car is pointed in the direction that I want to go. At that instant I open the throttle wide open and I’m back up to 60 in no time. It’s exhilarating. It makes my seven-year-old son scream.
Since I’ve haven’t driven the paddle shift I don’t know if you can do this with it. But if not and this is the type of driving that you like to do, then the answer to your question is clear.
Hope this helps.
I’d prefer an auto during the times when traffic is heavy. But when I get out in the open I prefer the stick.
But here’s the thing with a stick: One thing that I like to do is come into a tight turn at around 60mph with the clutch in and the trans in 2nd. Then just as I enter the turn I let out on the clutch (quickly) and the rear end slides around until the car is pointed in the direction that I want to go. At that instant I open the throttle wide open and I’m back up to 60 in no time. It’s exhilarating. It makes my seven-year-old son scream.
Since I’ve haven’t driven the paddle shift I don’t know if you can do this with it. But if not and this is the type of driving that you like to do, then the answer to your question is clear.
Hope this helps.