I know we have auto fans on here but it takes away the driving pleasure IMO. But a last resort for old blokes.........
Have to disagree there Dave, the latest generation of autoboxes are in every respect better than manual boxes. The BMW 8 speed box changes gear faster than I can, and when in sport mode it always is in the right gear as it "learns" the drivers style.
So if I floor it to pass it will drop 2 or 3 gears to give me the best performance, then when I take my foot off having passed it doesn't drop back 2 or 3 gears but only one, waiting to see if I need power again. After 5 or 10 seconds it will change up into the best gear for economy.
Again in sport mode when accelerating hard it holds gears to the red line unless you ease up on the throttle.
At all times I can change gear manually using either the lever of the paddles. But I don't because it is better at changing gear than I am...
I had a similar conversation with Richard Williams as did Mario. When they offer the 3.7 Roadster with Ford's autobox, as used in the Mustang, I'd be very interested and could well trade Aldrermog in for one, but they will have to have got the ratios correct.
According to Wiki The Ford 6R, as used in the V6 Mustang, is a six-speed automatic transmission for longitudinal engine placement in rear-wheel drive vehicles. It is based on the ZF 6HP26 transmission and is built under license by the Ford Motor Company at its Livonia Transmission plant in Livonia, Michigan.
The ZF 6HP26 uses a Lepelletier epicyclic/planetary gearset, which can provide more gear ratios with significantly fewer components. This means the ZF 6HP26 is actually lighter than its 5-speed predecessors. It also has the capability to achieve torque converter lock-up on all six forward gears, and disengage it completely when at a standstill, dramatically closing the fuel efficiency gap between automatic and manual transmissions.
