Would You Buy An Automatic Z06?

[JTBear]

Originally posted by 12 Second Momma
I have to drive automatic kid mobile all time. When I get in the Z I want a six speed

[70boss302]

It took me a nanosecond to answer, No Zippy, go to sleep! Next you'll want to put curtains up. JK of course! Bill

[Dragon]

No way!

[Speedy-Gonzalez]

You'd be surprised how many people ask that at the chevy dealer.... one kid actually told me his mom ordered an automatic z06 special from GM.

[Baron]

I have never thought an automatic belonged in any Corvette. When all they offered in the 82 Corvette was an automatic, I thought the end of the Corvette was near. Long live the standard shift Corvette/ZO6.

[Ted Pennington]

I don't think so, in a word.... NO, everything I own has a clutch "Let the good times Roll!!!"
Ted.

[2001Z06]

I guess I am "old school" and so be it. A sports car is meant for some one who has a clue of how to drive. One of those components of driving is the coordination of working the clutch and shifter in harmony with the engine at precise times the environment requires. The advent of of clutchless shifting is one of the reasons I lost interest in F1 racing and those competitive vehicles that use semi auto matic shifters. Hell, just take the driver out and play it like a video game.

It is sad because I know that this part of the sports car will eventually disappear, hopefully not during my lifetime or a period when I can still drive a sports car safely with enjoyment.

To be honest, I don't think ABS, traction control or active handling belong in a sports car either. However, those are items that make it possible for manufacturers to give us high performance sports cars at all. If it wasn't for those systems, I doubt if the insurance companies would allow them to be mass produced and made available to the general public.

[fcalmes]

In 1995, I had an Admiral Blue Coupe with an automatic. I went shopping one day and as I was parking my Vette, when a very shapely, good looking brunette walked up to me and asked if it had an automatic or a six speed. I said, "Automatic". She turned up her nose and said, "You need to live more dangerously!!", and then walked away.

I swore from that day forth, I would never own an automatic Vette.

[CARMEN96]

Only if the auto version came with 50 EXTRA ponies over the 6spd

[Backlash]

What is the point? To sell more cars? People in this classification should love the new caddie two seater.

Someday they will probably offer the paddle shifters too and even though the information indicates that these transmissions do shift faster - I'll still not get one. I like rowing through the gears.

[JBsZ06]

Actually the new first year C6 ..will be offering Z06 power to weight ratios..and a new 5 speed automatic that has electronic yaw sensor capability allowing the manumatic option that will hold the gear chosen by the driver as your diving in and out of corners..that should be quite impressive.

If I had an injury that made shifting a pain in the butt.(you know I'm a maniac when it comes to the sequential shifter technology like BMW which would make it my first choice )

I'd get an automatic..


Its a point and shoot car that is still impressive as hell..The C5 A4 is among the worlds best without a doubt..

The C6 will if you can wait..offer a 5 speed automatic..that will hold the manumatic gear chosen diving into the turns.. etc..

The C5 A4 with just a power tune on the pcm..runs dam fast...I think the new product that allows reversing the pcm back and forth..is called the Diablo preditor..

IMHO..a 2003 C5 A4 with an air filter and a power tune will run mid to high 12's all day long..and still take to daily bumper to bumper traffic with no trouble at all.

[nunemaker7]

NO

[JBsZ06]

Guys..check this dual clutch technology out..its amazing probably even bettering the BMW SMG II 80 millisecnd shift capability..

And remember..as the driver you still make all the decisions..

----GM needs this technology..BAD1

The new Direct Shift Gearbox (DSG)

So how does this revolutionary transmission concept work? The basis for the new development is a 6-speed manual gearbox with high variability in the selection of the transmission ratio. Thanks to the use of an integrated twin multi-plate clutch with ingenious control system, two gears can be engaged at the same time. During dynamic operation of the car, one gear is engaged. When the next gearshift point is approached, the appropriate gear is preselected but its clutch kept disengaged. The gearshift process opens the clutch of the activated gear and closes the other clutch at the same time. The gear change takes place under load, with the result that a permanent flow of power is maintained.

The technology of this twin-clutch transmission, the only one of its kind in the world, has its roots in motor racing. As far back as 1985, Walter Röhrl successfully tested it in his Audi Sport quattro S1.

Today, the new design satisfies the exacting requirements of convenient gear-shifting and maximum operating life for everyday use in series production vehicles. This transmission has been developed at group level and is built at the Kassel transmissions plant. This compact transmission is capable of handling torque of up to 350 Newton-metres.

The control logic integrated into the transmission casing maintains optimum gearshift strategies that perform lightning-fast gearshifts that are nevertheless smooth and almost jolt-free. The driver can directly influence the gear selected and the gearshift timing at will, by means of the gear lever in the manual gate or the standard-fit shift paddles on the steering wheel.

In the automatic mode, the driver can shift from position D to the ultra-sporty S program, in which upshifts are retarded, downshifts advanced and the shifting process accelerated. A remote one-touch function accessed via the shift paddles on the steering wheel in addition temporarily calls up the manual mode even in automatic modes D and S.

High overall efficiency is thus combined with superlative road performance and ease of control to produce an exceptional drive concept. The user interface is reminiscent of the familiar gearbox gate of the Audi tiptronic or multitronic.






High tech in very confined conditions

As on conventional manual gearboxes, the transmission ratios are present on input and auxiliary shafts in the form of pairs of toothed wheels. In contrast to manual gearboxes, the input shaft is divided into two sections. It comprises an outer hollow shaft, and an inner shaft. The 1st, 3rd, 5th gears and reverse are located on the inner shaft. The hollow shaft handles the even-numbered gears.

Each of these shafts is selected by means of a separate multi-plate clutch running in oil. The two electronically controlled, hydraulically actuated clutches are packed inside each other for maximum space economy.

As well as their high efficiency and ability to transmit high torques, clutches of this type permit a wide range of starting characteristics. In other words, the multi-plate clutch can be controlled in such a way that every conceivable form of pulling away is possible, from an ultra-gentle edging along on a slippery surface to sports-style acceleration at full throttle.

The gearshifts it produces feel spontaneous and decisive, as if executed at the push of a button. The electronic-control throttle blip feature of the manual and S modes reinforces the impression of ultra-dynamic gearshifts.

A shift-by-wire control concept has been implemented. The mechatronic concept combines a control unit with an electro-hydraulic control unit. The resulting device is housed in the upper section of the transmission casing. The signals from ten individual sensors are processed centrally there, and the actuation values calculated using the relevant information on the momentary driving situation from the drive CAN bus. The application pressure of the two clutches is regulated by special solenoid-operated valves depending on the situation, and the gear positioners operated.

The electronics also calculate which additional gear is to be preselected by the corresponding positioning cylinder and selector forks, and manages all actuating elements and the oil cooling circuit via six pressure regulation valves and five on/off valves.

[Rapid]

NO

[panzer]

If it works for Ferrari's it could work for the Z06. I would love one I can shift but also put in auto mode when I am in bumper to bumper traffic ( who does not encounter this? ).