According to AutoExpress' sources, Aston Martin will be debuting a six-speed, automated, manual gearbox for its V8 Vantage at the Paris Motor Show. The clutchless setup allows for quick up/down shifts, via steering wheel-mounted paddles, and also a fully automatic mode for sedate cruising.
The new transmission will be similar to the one offered in the baby Aston's elder, the Vanquish, which may be a blessing/curse. Early on, most reported that the big-V's manu-matic was lurchy and difficult to drive with any measure of smoothness. According to Aston, a software update was released to cure those ills.
Aston Martin also plans on releasing details about a partnership with the world-renowned seat maker, Recaro, which will furnish both the DB9 and Vantage with new, more bolstered and adjustable thrones. 'Cause when you drop that kind of coin on a GT, you gotta be comfy, right?
You can find a pic of the Vantage's interior after the jump, with a large (read: awkward) mobile phone/sunglass/trinket holder where the shifter used to reside.
[Source: AutoExpress]
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Reader Comments (Page 1 of 1)
All World Automotive @ Sep 22nd 2006 8:56AM
Interesting idea
TVLover @ Sep 22nd 2006 9:57AM
Well...this coincides well with Hamster's issues...
Caught the episode where Top Gear tested the Vanquish...and deemed the gearbox "rubbish" as it doesn't let you change gears when you want to...
If they fixed that...THEN it is a good idea.
David @ Sep 22nd 2006 10:06AM
The DB9 has an automatic that can be shifted manually. Those work way better. Automated manuals will always be rubbish, especially on downshifts.
gkz @ Sep 22nd 2006 10:57AM
The Vanquish box on Top Gear still didn't work right even after the car was sent back to Aston to be fixed.
DAVID - so you're saying the Ferrari transmission is rubbish, huh? Congratulations on putting your ignorance on display in a public forum.
Brian K @ Sep 22nd 2006 11:13AM
I've driven cars with sequential shift (on a normal shift level, in the center console), and the car i drive has the manual-mode buttons on the wheel (up in back, down in front). I haven't driven with paddle-type shifter, but the fact that the buttons i have forces me to keep my hands in one position while making a turn annoys me enough that I don't use the feature. I assume it'd be the same with paddle shifters? I'm not a race driver, so i prefer the one-hand-on-the-wheel driving myself - and of course, my hand is no where near teh shift mechanisms. Also - the only time downshifts work well with a sequential-mode shifter - is when it has Downshift Rev Matching software, like the current 350z. The computer revs up the engine with each downshift, so it's exactly like heel-and-toeing. Now, the Vantage is currently my dream car, but considering straight manual transmissions work havoc on my bad knees, and straight automatics arent terribly fun... I hope they get this straightened out somehow. I don't understand why they don't put more of the straight manual into the blend, and offer the 7 or so gates still, but just erase the clutch...
Declan Moran @ Sep 22nd 2006 11:50AM
In five years time the automated manual - DSG - manual automatic argument will be sorted out and these types of transmissions will be everywhere, and work everywhere in the capacity they were meant to.
The problem now is that its too early and manufacturers have come up with numerous solutions to the same problem, some better, some worse.
I personally like the Audi/VW DSG, I've tried it and it works perfectly. So much so that I would swap a manual for it.
The next generation of transmissions will answer all the problems with the current generation. I think we'll all be very happy (and that includes the car makers too.)
PS If not the Audi/VW DSG then I hear nothing but good things about Jaguars latest manual enabled automatic in the XK and XKR.
Dr. Woo @ Sep 22nd 2006 11:55AM
BorgWarner's DualTronic gearbox is arguably the finest automated manual transmission money can buy...and it's not a lot of money.
ZPrime @ Sep 22nd 2006 12:36PM
Declan Moran -- hear hear! I too would trade the DSG for a manual. It has all of the benefits of a manual transmission, like holding gears on a downhill grade to save the brakes, and easy selection of proper gear for maximum power/torque... but the benefits of a standard slushbox like no fighting stop & go, no rollback worries on a hill, etc.
Plus, it shifts QUICKER than you ever could by hand, and it doesn't need your left foot, which means you can save it for "special" braking. :) I drove the VW GTI (Mk. V) and fell in love with the DSG system.
That said, I was test driving an Infiniti FX35 yesterday that is a standard planetary automatic with "tiptronic"/sequential "manual" mode. I was quite impressed with it. the shifts are still slow compared to the DSG, but the rev-matching on a downshift makes it MUCH more manual-like. I had it out on twisties through a park and i was up and down through 2 or 3 gears without issue while carving corners. (The FX35 handles *damn* well for an SUV, but I'm digressing here.) If I were to purchase a car that were automatic only, the sequential system *MUST* have rev-matching. I've driven a sequential auto without it and it SUCKS (Toyota Solara). You downshift it, and the car lurches while it goes into gear and slows you down, just like moving the lever around on a traditional automatic. Why bother offering the +/- at that point?
Petter @ Sep 24th 2006 4:15PM
I am a very happy owner of a V8 Vantage and cannot see why AM should waste time and money on replacing av VERY well working Graziano gearbox. I would rather see 120 more HP and a more firm rear suspension.
sal coco @ Nov 19th 2006 8:01PM
The added sportshift is a welcome for the Baby Aston, now more people can buy the car and not be worried about constantly down shifting in city driving and still have the freedom of shifting when on the highways. Thank You, Aston Martin for making more of our dreams come true.I just ordered the new roadster with the sportshift.