[Christ]

Upshifting is almost instant in modern automatics... and Auto transmissions (properly built and tuned) can shift much faster than any human can shift a manual, both up and down. Automatics also tend to eliminate human error. Missed shifts and incorrect shifting procedure are taken out of the equation altogether.

Modern automatics also aren't as dramatic energy wasters as previous types. If a 15% drive-train loss is assumed for a manual, the resultant figure for a Auto might be something like 16-17%, rather than the traditional 20%.

For fixed ratio transmissions, a manually controlled auto would be ideal (you can change the gears yourself if you please, and it reacts only to redline and 0 load).

For CVT's, unless you have a few specific gear ranges in mind, like an extremely low CV gear set, then a mid-range for road driving, and a high-range for racing application (for a multi-purpose vehicle), it's going to be an automatic regardless... unless you want CVT with a direct transaxle-engine connection, and a clutch, which is available, but pointless. A multi-range CVT would be prohibitively large and complex, and who really tows, drives normally, and then races their car? Not many. The extra weight would prove a burden in every situation. The extra complexity would prove a larger paycheck for the dealer you have to have service your transmission/transaxle.