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donau · 10-06-2006, 10:22 PM

Great topic bmer!

For the hard-core enthusiast who does not want to be driven but who wants to drive him/herself it will always be the manual. Admittedly this group is not the masses.
One of the articles stated that most drivers in Europe prefer manuals because it makes them feel in control. This is obviously not the group I am referring to as the hard-core enthusiats. I believe DCT and Automatics will gradually gain market share amongst the average European driver who currently feel they prefer manuals.

I think for those who like gadgetry, like to play with things particularly if they offer performance advantages, the DCT type transmissions will become the transmission of choice. I guess this group would also be an enthusiast group, although not the hard core: "no power steering", "no ABS brakes", no "ESP", Only manuals" etc. type of enthusiast.

For the masses, I believe it will be the good old automatic, whether it be a ZF 6 speed or the 7G-tronic or something else. The automatic in todays world just is the easiest solution to cope with increasing stop and go traffic, pressure, aggression, road`rage etc that we encounter on our roads every day when going about our lives. It's the option that does a lot for you - which is a good thing when your mind is involved with everything but the driving experience, other than how smooth, comfortable and effortless the ride was.

The CVT will probably be best in utility vehicles of any kind, be it a post office mail delivery car, buses, ambulances etc. Maybe taxis too.

10-06-2006, 10:22 PM	#5 (permalink)
donau Fanatic Join Date: Jan 2006 Location: Winston-Salem, NC USA Posts: 1,237 Thanks: 121 Thanked 46 Times in 37 Posts	Re: Next Generation Transmissions Great topic bmer! For the hard-core enthusiast who does not want to be driven but who wants to drive him/herself it will always be the manual. Admittedly this group is not the masses. One of the articles stated that most drivers in Europe prefer manuals because it makes them feel in control. This is obviously not the group I am referring to as the hard-core enthusiats. I believe DCT and Automatics will gradually gain market share amongst the average European driver who currently feel they prefer manuals. I think for those who like gadgetry, like to play with things particularly if they offer performance advantages, the DCT type transmissions will become the transmission of choice. I guess this group would also be an enthusiast group, although not the hard core: "no power steering", "no ABS brakes", no "ESP", Only manuals" etc. type of enthusiast. For the masses, I believe it will be the good old automatic, whether it be a ZF 6 speed or the 7G-tronic or something else. The automatic in todays world just is the easiest solution to cope with increasing stop and go traffic, pressure, aggression, road`rage etc that we encounter on our roads every day when going about our lives. It's the option that does a lot for you - which is a good thing when your mind is involved with everything but the driving experience, other than how smooth, comfortable and effortless the ride was. The CVT will probably be best in utility vehicles of any kind, be it a post office mail delivery car, buses, ambulances etc. Maybe taxis too. Last edited by donau; 10-06-2006 at 10:28 PM.