Has the manual transmission gone the way of the dinosaurs?

In today's technologically, ever-advancing world, cars are one of the most advanced and continuously evolving machines we have in our daily lives. And one aspect of the impact on our use of cars is the switch-over from manual transmissions to Tiptronics in all its forms. The days of the three pedals on the floor are numbered and the countdown to their complete demise is on.

The Tiptronic, or manu-matic or whatever any other car company wants to call it is quite simply the meeting-in-the-middle of the manual transmission with the automatic. Now, I'm no engineer so i can't explain it to you in a technical fashion, but would you want me to? I didn't think so. Basically, it's a computer-monitored transmission that has an automated clutch that engages when you either shove a shifter-arm forward or back, or flick a paddle behind the steering wheel.

To see what an impact the development of the Tiptronic transmission has had on the automotive industry, you only have to look to the high-end or exotics. Currently, Ferrari is the leader in the development of the fastest-shifting Tiptronic transmissions in the world. Ferrari can now claim with their F430 Scuderia, that they've developed the fastest shifting manumatic ever made. It can shift gears within 0.036 seconds, which is faster than you can blink! That's incredible considering all that has to happen within that incredibly short amount of time. The transmission is in-gear, the gear is turning, the clutch is pushed in, then the next gear slides in and the clutch is released. All while the engine's energy is being directed through the transmission to the wheels. When you look at the first picture above, that's the interior of the Ferrari 550 Maranello. Look at that shift-gate. I've driven a Ferrari before and anytime I can avoid shifting through that mechanical maze called the shift-gate, I'll take the Tiptronic!

Almost every manufacturer today has a variant of the Tiptronic transmission. They have different names. But they all do the same. Some even have two clutches built-in. And when you think about the evolution of the Tiptronic transmission and how fast it's finding its way into the everyday car, you'd have to wonder why continue with the manual trannie?

Well frankly, there's only one real reason to continue with the production of what is basically an outdated design: cost. The manual is cheaper to produce... for now. But they are more expensive to maintain. And if you live in hill-country, they're a nightmare to use. And even lesser-so, if you're like me, you enjoy just driving but live in the 'big city', then you take no pleasure in the constant shift-up, shift-down in the daily grind of stop-and-go traffic. It takes the pleasure from driving and turns it into a task. No thanks.

The day will come when it will be an option on a spec-sheet. As with all things, it is an expensive option to start with but as more companies incorporate the Tiptronic, the manual will die away. Imagine how there would be just one less thing for "Canada's Worst Driver" to worry about. No more jerky starts; no more embarrassing stalls at the lights. In a straight line, even the everyday-guy could learn to shift like a pro.

The one sad 'victim' of this technology's development is the SMG,(BMW)or DSG,(Volkswagen) transmission. I've made reference to BMW's SMG trannie in my review of the BMW 550i SMG. It is an incredible pleasure to drive and use but as it proved so unpopular with, frankly, twit-drivers, we won't likely see its continued production or deployment to other vehicles in BMW's lineup. I haven`t heard much about Volks` DSG (Direct Shift Gears). As I write this, it seems the enthusiasts love it. But how seriously can you take them when all they`re driving a VW Golf?!

Now this probably doesn't mean much to you you say. When am I going to find myself on a racetrack or anything like that? Well, just look at our first weeks of winter. I've had to 'rock' myself out of a snowbank a good few times already but my CRS has a traditional automatic and it's a good thing I can shift it back and forth quite quickly. But it's not good for the transmission and it would be faster and less harsh on the machinery if it was a Tiptronic.

In BMW's cars, you can just choose the gear you want without having to go through them individually until you find the gear you want/need. Now how great is that? Well, in a foot of loose snow, pretty damn good I'd say if you have a good set of tires, you'd be out of the snow in a few short minutes. No aggro!

But that's just my opinion. Despite today's automotive industry's corporate plight, they won't stop development of new technologies. In Europe at least, people always want something more, something different. The car will always be evolving and so will the technologies contained within. Mark these words, the day will come when the traditional transmission is an option.

And I for one, look forward to that day. Bring it on!