Quote:
Originally Posted by SDMCF
I agree with you, and for ultimate milage I would always opt for a manual, given a free choice.
|
I'm not so sure about that. Autos have been developing much faster that manuals. Today we have autos with large overall gear ratio spread close to 10 and small ratio spread between gears. That is a clear advantage over manuals which don't have as many gears.
I drive a six speed auto and the manual version of my car would have also have six speeds. Even though there is no difference in the number of gears the auto version has much taller gearing. Auto would reach 353 km/h at sixth gear at 6500 rpm and manual would reach only 290 km/h. Those speeds don't happen because the engine doesn't have enough power but the tall gear ratio of the auto version keep engine running at low rpm. I'm pretty sure, that auto version burns less fuel in high speed driving. Automatic coasting function of the automatic gearbox is also a nice function in a urban area.
The automotive industry is making engines which can run at lower and lower rpm for better fuel efficiency. These engines can run also at high rpm for high power. This asks for larger and larger overall gear ratio spread. Autos are much better suited for this trend. Manuals could do it too, but not too many people are ready to manually go through ten gears all the time.