RE: manual with automatic shifting

["Mark Battley" <m.battley@domain.elided>]

>>Can any of you knowledgeable people explain to me what exactly "manual
>>with automatic shifting" means?  Elsewhere in the article it says
>>"driving the rear wheels through a six-speed transaxle with sequential
>>gearshifting."  My guess was that the gearbox works like a typical
>>motorcycle gearbox in that the same action shifts from 1 to 2 as from 2
>>to 3 and from 3 to 4, etc. and that the buttons on the steering wheel
>>spokes caused electrical actuators (solenoids?) to operate the clutch
>>and the gear shifter.  Does "automatic shifting" mean it will shift for
>>itself if you don't push the button?  Does "transaxle" mean it's mounted
>>in the back, away from the engine, like an Alfetta?
>
>Your guess as to what "manual with automatic shifting" means seems 
>correct.  Whether it has an automatic mode to shift itself, I don't 
>know.  Transaxle does in fact mean it's mounted in the back, like an 
>Alfetta, or in this case like the current Maserati that Giugiaro 
>borrowed the drivetrain from.

Presumably it's basically just a six speed version of the current 5spd
Selespeed used in the 147, 156, and others including the Fiat Stilo Abarth
(with a 2.4litre 5cyl) - and also at the more exotic end of the Fiat empire
(Ferrari, Maserati). This is a mechanical gearbox with electronic clutch
(which I understand is a conventional clutch, with electro/mechanical
actuation - there is no clutch pedal), using a forward/backwards gear lever
and/or paddles on the steering wheel to change gear sequentially. It also
has an "automatic" CITY option. Push a button and it changes for you.

I've used it in a 147 and a Stilo Abarth. once you decide when to use the
gear lever and when to use the paddles, and remember which way to push the
lever to change up or down, it seems like a good system. Fast changes, and
it even does a blip on the throttle on the down changes. Much as I normally
dislike autos, the CITY option is useful when you are feeling really lazy.

To me, this seems like a better system for a "sporty" car than many of the
alternatives which use a traditional auto that can pretend to be a manual.

Mark Battley
Auckland, New Zealand.

1973 Alfa Romeo 2000 GT Veloce
1989 Fiat Uno Turbo 
1989 Fiat Croma
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