Re : <ALL> Sequential transmission?? (long)

[ben keyes <bkeyes1@xxxxxxxx>]

Rob mentions sequential transmissions & Calvin adds to it so I figure
I'll toss in a few thoughts (fire away wherever I've mis-remembered the
facts..) :

>>> BMW SMG - Sequential Manual (or is it "M"?) Gearbox - is basically a manual 'box with a computer controlled mechanical actuation.  The lever is not mechanically attached to the gearbox, but acts as a big switch that tells the computer to make the shift.  I've seen drawings on a web site somewhere.  Trawl through Ben Liaw's Links for help ( http://www.bmwlinks.com/ ).

It has gotten mild to good reviews in a lot of the European car mags I
have read - often noted as being neat, but somewhat hard to get used
to.  Most mags don't get to keep cars for a really long time & get sued
to the system, which an owner obviously would.  I think there are a
couple of folks on the digest with Euro engined E36 M3's with the SMG
who can add better info.

As of yet only the Euro E36 M3 gets the SMG, and though there have been
rumors, the E39 M5 appears to be "normal" manual only initially.

There are a couple of vendors that advertise in European magazines that
sell a "Steptronic" (or similar name) system that is a paddle/column
stalk operated traditional automatic trans I believe.  BMW's seem to be
in the adverts often, but they may also do systems for other cars.

>>> Porsche Tiptronic - this is a traditional automatic trans with torque converter & such, but has electronic actuation for gear changes via steering wheel spokes 0 little "+" & "-" buttons on two top spokes and a floor mounted shifter.  I believe it was the first of the auto-manual boxes in the last ten years or so.

>>> Ferrari 355 F1 - this is based on the same technology that goes into the Ferrari Formula 1 cars and operates via paddles behind the steering wheel.  Can't recall if the paddles turn with the steering wheel or not, nor if they have dedicated up/down for left to right or not.  I do recall that you have to pull both of them at once to get neutral or something like that.

This has been universally reviewed as the most awesome set-up of any of
these systems.  It has a "normal" & "sport" mode, with the sport mode
apparently giving upshifts that are quicker than even the best
professional drivers can manage.  They are described as "brutal" but
very effective.  It has some sort of "snow" or low traction mode that
starts in 2nd gear.  most all of these type of systems do, just like
some normal automatic trans.

Only thing that's too bad is that instead of the cool traditional gated
Ferrari shifter you get this little aluminum "T" lever about three
inches max that you use to engage reverse & forward I believe.  Believe
that Valeo is the main supplier of this system and there has been a lot
of development work on it - recall seeing prototypes tested up to 5
years ago.

>>> Lexus GS400 system - this is a system similar to the Porsche Tiptronic with steering wheel buttons driving a "normal" automatic 'box.  I won't even go near the whole Lexus conversation, check the archives for a thread comparing to 5-series...

>>> Audi/VW Tiptronic - this is a "gated" floor shifter that allows up & down shifts as well as regular "PRND321" operation.  Has a cool shiny aluminum gate, but it's not a quantum leap or anything.

>>> Chrylser also has had a system similar to VW/Audi Tiptronic that shifts a traditional auto box for several years now - is in Prowler, 300M, Stratus & Intrepid at least, likely more - but who cares ??

>>> The new Jaguar S-type/Lincoln LS will have an available auto trans with a shifter similar to the VW/Audi system I believe, but they don't us know much about cars down here in truck land. (note my email).

>>> Touring (racing) cars use sequential manual 'boxes similar to motorcycles - push/pull once for each shift.  Most of these are made by X-Trac I believe.  our European readers can correct me on that point I'm sure.

>>> Early 70's 911 (or was it 912's) had a system that shifted a somewhat normal auto trans when you _touched_ the shifter.  was apparently quite weird and not all that successful.  Saab may have also had a system like that can't recall.



Ben Keyes
E28 M5 Getrag 265 (or is it 260?) w/ BL/SS & ERK

------------------------------