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Journal: Is “A Fun Automatic” an Oxymoron?

Is “A Fun Automatic” an Oxymoron?

By Michael Banovsky
August 11, 2015
30 comments

Though the two main cars in our household both have manual transmissions, I was recently able to sample three very different cars equipped with “let the computer shift for you” transmissions: a McLaren 650S Spider, Fiat 500 Abarth, and Dodge Charger R/T Scat Pack.

And do you know what? One of those wasn’t too bad.

The McLaren has a seven-speed dual clutch “automatic” gearbox that was instant, seamless, and easy. I’m not sure how many clutches I would have roasted had it been fitted with a manual transmission, but I will say that it made the business of driving a supercar as easy as pushing “D” and going.

Dodge fitted the Charger with both the SRT 392’s massive 6.4-litre Hemi V8 as well as an 8-speed automatic transmission. The unit is just like every other transmission, except that it had a speed for almost any situation—but to get it to shift more quickly into a higher speed in order to save fuel was a chore. In day-to-day driving, it was well-suited to the car, but with the loud exhaust its shifts were more frequent, and noticeable, than in the others.

Finally, the 500 Abarth. You’ll be reading more about this car and the McLaren soon, but for now, be happy to know that its 6-speed automatic was fun…even though it was the least sophisticated of the bunch.

What made the Abarth my favorite is simple: in L.A., the combination of a tiny car and near-instantaneous power meant that it was incomparable in day-to-day driving. On the highway, the addition of an extra speed over the manual version helped keep noise down and fuel economy up. It was a surprisingly good combination.

I won’t be trading my manual transmission in anytime soon, but experiencing three very different “automatics” was a nice change and opportunity to try something new. Have you driven any “fun” automatics lately? And have any of them felt like they were adding to the driving experience? 

Image sources: topspeed.com, autoblog.com, mclaren.com

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tim44
tim44
2 years ago

I nice articlesir

1
Ric Bergstrom
Ric Bergstrom
8 years ago

I was always a slush box hater. Drive anything with a ZF8 speed in it….that thing is magic. Seamless upshifts, revmatched downshifts.

I’d still buy a sports car with a stick….but for a sports sedan (Mine is in an F10 BMW 5 series) it is a phenomenal unit.

Hope it wears well as it has to be pricey to fix/ replace!!!

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Daniel T
Daniel T
8 years ago

The classic manual vs automatic discussion… however in this context (“keep…fuel economy up”) I find the question a bit oxymoronic. Mainly because most of the people reading this site are petrolheads, meaning (the explanation is for Mr. Banovsky) we drive and care for the cars we have or had for subjective reasons rather than objective (e.g. running costs).
And a question for Mr. Banovsky: did Petrolicious run out of classic cars to discuss about and is now turning to more day-to-day subjects? Am reading Petrolicious for a long time now, almost from the beginning, and although back there was no new story / article each day, when something was published it was worth reading. Nowadays (read “since the editorial change”) I have the feeling you are trying more and more to turn comercial (read “filling the pages that to have something new”), meaning the appeal of the content to a classic car enthusiast is slowly but surely dimming.

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Jon Ulrich
Jon Ulrich
8 years ago

If you would have asked me this question 30 years ago my answer would have been different. Back then I would have said I preferred manual transmissions for “sporty”cars. But today, with traction control and abs I find that many modern automatic transmission equiped cars are actually more fun to drive. Modern auto trannys are no longer the slush boxes of old and are usually quicker off the line and shift much quicker than I can with a manual. We are fortunate today to have so many choices with the cars available.

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Antony Ingram
Antony Ingram
8 years ago

I can’t say I’ve driven any automatics where the gearbox itself is “fun” (though “effective” could certainly be applied to many of them), but I’ve driven plenty of cars that are fun [i]despite[/i] them possessing an automatic transmission. I prefer manuals (Miata owner here), but I can see the appeal of some autos too.

To play devil’s advocate, I’ve driven several manuals that are [i]far[/i] from fun – ones with no feel of mechanical connection through the shifter, a mushy biting point to the clutch, poorly-chosen ratios etc. There are certainly cars out there where the manual is so poor I’d prefer an auto, and trade a nasty manual gearshift for a better automatic.

And there are definitely some days, usually when it’s raining, the roads are heavily trafficked and I’ve just got off a plane, that an auto is hugely welcome.

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Nauman Farooq
Nauman Farooq
8 years ago

All manuals are not created equal – same with automatics. I can’t remember any BMW I have driven in the last decade, where the manual was great. Their 7-speed DCT and 8-speed ZF autos on the other hand are wonderful and allow you to really get the maximum out of the car.
I haven’t driven the latest Audi R8 with its DCT gearbox, but the first-gen car which could be had with either a 6-speed manual or a 6-speed R-tronic (single-clutch electro-hydraulic unit), rowing your own gears was the only way to go.
What’s better? I say, if the car is intended to be used on a daily basis, an auto just makes more sense. However, if you can afford to have a fun toy tucked away for the weekends (ideally, a Ferrari Testarossa in my case), then having a great car with an awesome manual is the only way to go.

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Ali G
Ali G
8 years ago

No suprise that the Abarth auto was good; the Pop version isnt half bad with the “sport” button pressed. It was a rented Pop automatic that sold me on the Abarth with the premise that “if the base car is this good, the ultimate version will be even better.”
2013 Abarth, aka “Bender” R.I.P.

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Jeremy DeConcini
Jeremy DeConcini
8 years ago

I have an SMG in my daily driver M3, and if used in manual mode is pretty damn fun. Maybe not quite as fun as using the clutch pedal, but I am going to call it 85\% as fun and if you factor in Southern California traffic jams, it is a no-brainer.

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Robert Hiermeier
Robert Hiermeier
8 years ago

Anyone who buys a sports car (i.e. Porsche, Miata, Vette, etc…) with an automatic transmission is an idiot and should stick to Buicks.

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shiney
shiney
8 years ago
Reply to  Robert Hiermeier

I drive an 07 automatic Mx-5 and I am done apologizing for it. I bought it for a few different reasons, and no, I won’t be going out and buying a Buick as per Mr. Hiermeier’s comment. I would rather drive an auto mx-5 than anything else right now, and you know what? It’s still fun as hell. Can’t take the top off a Buick…

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Jim Valcarcel
Jim Valcarcel
8 years ago
Reply to  Robert Hiermeier

“ANYONE”? 17 years ago I was hit by a drunk driver on a freeway. I was told there was a pickup in front of me so I had no chance to avoid him. I was doing 65 the 19 year old drunk was doing 70 plus. When the pick up got out of the way at the last second I collided with the drunk head on. He was killed. I was in the hospital for four months and in a wheelchair for a year. So my right hip, both knees, both ankles where turned into a mess. I can still drive a stick, however a my 1999 Ferrari F355 F1 helps a lot. So sorry being an idiot!

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Jim Valcarcel
Jim Valcarcel
8 years ago
Reply to  Jim Valcarcel

In all honesty Mr. Hiermeier,
How fair is it to imply that “anyone” who does not drive a car with a stick is less than. But even more to state that person is an idiot. I believe you should rethink the labels you put on people such as myself that have had a misfortune befall them like myself and goodness knows how many others. I’m blessed just to be alive, to be able to walk, albeit with a cane, and then drive a car. I know everyone is passionate about the car they drive. But please can we all be a bit more careful in the future if someone drives something different than what we drive and not attack them personally?

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Robert Hiermeier
Robert Hiermeier
8 years ago
Reply to  Jim Valcarcel

OK, perhaps I shouldn’t have used the word “idiot” in my comment, I really should have learned my lesson about 10 years ago when my old roommate from college bought himself a Solstice with an automatic.
But there is no way I would trade my three cars with manuals (85 911 Carrera, 03 Audi 1.8t with 5 speeds and my 11 BMW 328I coupe with “M package” and six speed manual. I mean I just love going through windy country roads and heel and toe downshifting as I am taking turns, specially my Porsche which has a Bursch muffler and makes a lovely sound. Just the fact you can not enjoy heel n toe downshifting with an automatic is enough for me to be turned down with only two pedals.
I suppose Mr. Valcarcel’s Ferrari with dual clutch and paddle shifters must be a lot of fun as well on windy roads.

Regards

R H

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Francois Bozonnet
Francois Bozonnet
8 years ago
Reply to  Jim Valcarcel

your post make me remember the car drove by Clay Regazzoni after his accident. i saw several years ago a 365 gtb/4 daytona equiped with a mecanical system to change gear on the steering wheel. it was very clever and could be adaptated on every manual car. you can find a picture of this system in the book wrote by Cesare de Agostini, “Regazzoni, é sempre questione di cuore” pagina 193. maybe it could be the solution to combine the best part of each system…. and i am sure that Regazzoni was not an idiot

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Xavier Corral
Xavier Corral
8 years ago
Reply to  Robert Hiermeier

My Grand National would like a word with you.

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Xavier Corral
Xavier Corral
8 years ago
Reply to  Xavier Corral

whoa. No idea how this happened!

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JB21
JB21
8 years ago

Someone commented on a different article that he considers 4C’s transmission manual, because it’s got clutch that is electronically operated. Rubbish. All intent and purpose, those semi-auto trans are automatic. It really matters very little while driving on the track, 458 was very engaging, so was 4C, I didn’t miss clutch pedal at all. But on a regular road, commuting and sitting in a traffic jam, grocery run? You just put it in D and trot about, that’s all, and none of those works very well as automatic transmission for everyday use. And I want my car to be engaging out side of track days and special occasions, and auto trans of any kind just doesn’t do it for me.

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Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
8 years ago
Reply to  JB21

First off let me say that your post is a case of Affirming and Denying the Same Thing at the Same Time . So if with the following words I’ve misinterpreted your meaning /intent .. blaming the self contradictory words of your comment first and foremost .. apologies in advance regardless if there is any misunderstanding … just to keep things civil

A 458 is in any way shape or form ‘ engaging ‘ on the track when in reality its a mass of overly synthetic and manufactured driving experiences motivated by a plethora of computer nannies watching over you like your mother when you were all of ten years old ? Engaging my ____ . More like an over exaggerated Smoke & Mirrors ‘ virtual ‘ experience who’s intention is to deceive the driver into thinking he/she is driving an F1 car . By the way … that IS the factory’s intent with the set up of every Ferrari made since the ubiquitous and many times aforementioned 456

The 4C which in reality makes its pig in a mud bog donor car [ KTM X-bow ] almost look good in comparison .. not to mention once again all those virtual computer nannies babysitting your every move .. is engaging ?

Seriously . Either I’ve misinterpreted your contradictory post or you’ve spent way too much time in the virtual world / your experiences when it comes to cars is somewhat limited . Want a taste of genuine driver ‘ engagement in a modern car ? Try a Lotus Elise/Exige [ ten times the challenge and fun of the 4C ] .. Caterham , Donkervoort etc . Those are ‘ engaging ‘ cars to the nth degree

‘ Engagement ‘ by my definition being when you come face to face with Hunter S Thompson’s ” Sausage Creature ”

http://hooniverse.com/2010/03/11/hunter-s-thompson-and-the-song-of-the-sausage-creature/

…..knowing full well ANY slip up on your part can and will lead to your ultimate demise because in fact there is nothing between you and the edge beyond your personal skills and the mechanical capabilities of the machine you’re driving/riding

That …….. Is being ‘ engaged ‘ ………. not babysat

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Michael Banovsky
Author
Michael Banovsky
8 years ago
Reply to  Guitar Slinger

Sounds stressful.

That McLaren 650S sailed over potholes better than many Cadillacs I’ve driven and was effortless to drive in traffic. 4C aside, I think in the upper catalogue of performance, a lot of the time, there’s simply too much car for the [i]typical[/i] owner to drive around in and feel in control—especially considering the realities of modern road design and fellow road users.

I’m excited to drive the new smart fortwo manual because, here in Canada, 50 km/h over the limit gets your car impounded. Maybe all that rowing, accelerating, and decelerating when zipping around will allow me to forget I’m in a smart fortwo. Maybe not. In the 650S (or 4C, for that matter) sneezing on the accelerator at the wrong time gives the flatbed driver a new pic for his Instagram.

JB21, maybe you didn’t “miss” the clutch because there was so much else to do?

And Guitar, I think you contradicted yourself in saying, “…knowing full well ANY slip up on your part can and will lead to your ultimate demise because in fact there is nothing between you and the edge beyond your personal skills and the mechanical capabilities of the machine you’re driving/riding”

…you’ve seen [url=”http://www.wreckedexotics.com”]wreckedexotics.com[/url], right? Plenty of supercar drivers are “engaged” into the closest stationary object…problem is, to compensate for the advances in technology, to have fun you’ve got to be doing twice the legal limit in speed before the mechanical capabilities of the machine are felt. Steve Sutcliffe and Chris Harris are so engaging to watch these days because they’re [b]hauling ass[/b] in order to make the car do anything interesting for the cameras.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=MT5yLR4aluY
Or, perhaps better, the Tiff vs. Plato battles… besides being infinitely entertaining, this one demonstrates just how fast you’ve got to be going to make something like a 911 Turbo move around…

https://youtu.be/LRvcobW-LN4?t=3m55s
Maybe better still, Chris Harris being scared by rally driver Francois Delecour in a 911 GT3 on public roads…somewhere. The speeds involved to allow Delecour to be “engaged” were clearly alarming Harris.

Now what were we talking about again…?

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JB21
JB21
8 years ago
Reply to  Guitar Slinger

Well, you are just criticizing those cars, or just criticizing my experiences with them. I really enjoyed 458 on a track. 4C was enjoyable, too. And speaking of transmission, both had a very quick, almost mechanical shift when driven fast, yes, but total dud on a road. I’ve driven Elise and Exige, and they are great, sure, but we aren’t talking about [i]that[/i], I thought we were talking about automated transmission, but I guess you didn’t notice that.

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Antony Ingram
Antony Ingram
8 years ago
Reply to  Guitar Slinger

We’ve been over this before, but the Alfa 4C really has nothing in common with the KTM X-Bow. That was simply a rumour before the Alfa launched, and it has since become apparent that the two are unrelated. They have different chassis, designed and constructed by different companies in different places, different engines, and are assembled in different parts of Europe by different companies.

Your points – often perfectly reasonable on their own – would hold much greater weight if they weren’t perpetually laced with misinformation bred by your own personal biases.

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Corey Kononchuk
Corey Kononchuk
8 years ago

I’ll start by saying that I would never buy a car in automatic if it could be had with a manual. There are however, a lot of auto-only cars that are awesome to drive! My Audi RS6 was never offered with a manual gearbox; it’s the first automatic car I’ve intentionally bought since learning to drive stick… and I freakin’ love this car! Of course it would be more fun with a manual gearbox (the 5spd auto is impressive for a slushbox but certainly outclassed by the newer 6/7/8 speeds), but living in/around Boston with its heinous traffic at all times of day makes me appreciate not having to row my own all the time. I wouldn’t be too happy not having a car with three pedals though, so I have had a manual Subaru BRZ and now a Porsche 911 to satisfy the need.

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Michael Banovsky
Author
Michael Banovsky
8 years ago
Reply to  Corey Kononchuk

Sounds like you should find yourself an earlier Audi S6 PLUS. 😉

4.2-litre V8 and a maaaanual. Zero-to-something in five-point-something. 🙂

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Corey Kononchuk
Corey Kononchuk
8 years ago
Reply to  Michael Banovsky

Oh I wish! I think it would be too hard to find one and then import it to the U.S. An S6 Avant with a bigger turbo and Porsche brakes would sure be cool though!

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Philip Todak
Philip Todak
8 years ago

I believe they can be. I had a Volvo V70 with a 4 speed automatic trans, and it was fun waiting for the kickdown 2 gears. Still not as fun as a manual; however they can be fun in the right conditions.

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Michael Banovsky
Author
Michael Banovsky
8 years ago
Reply to  Philip Todak

I worked at a Volvo dealer at the zenith of the S/V70 population in Canada. My dad had a 4-speed dark green-on-charcoal grey S70 T5. Rear spoiler. Our friends have an S70 T5 5-speed with half a bazillion kms on it. Still looks great.

There’s something about the 5-cylinder and those four speeds, they often sound so well together, and I think that’s a big part of the fun. The dash starts to vibrate, as does the thin-rimmed steering wheel…

I’ve done Good Things and Bad Things to S/V70s. I’d go manual if possible, simply because it’s probably more likely to survive in the care of an enthusiast… even though it’s far from the most satisfying manual transmission.

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Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
8 years ago

Is a ‘ fun ‘ automatic an oxymoron ? Hmmn . Well … yes and no . It depends on the car to be honest . In an SUV/CUV /Luxury / City car etc ? Yeah ! A slush box is both practical and can be fun . But these Flappy Paddle Shifty Thingy’s [ to quote Clarkson ] in Sports/Super/Hyper/Performance cars ? Well … then an auto is about as much ‘ fun ‘as watching paint dry on the ceiling

FYI ; A little take on my perspective ? Due to a chronic left leg injury I am now limited to slush boxes in any car I drive for any length of time [ in other words I can drive one for short periods up to an occasional half day or so .. so it makes no sense to own one anymore ] And ….. I hate it !

Cause to put it bluntly ! Slush boxes / flappy paddle shifty thingy’s etc in performance cars just aint Fun at all no matter how fast the bloody things claim to be able to shift . And err … guess what ? The maintenance on those flappy paddle shifty thingy’s is double or more what a manual would be in any performance car .

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Guitar Slinger
Guitar Slinger
8 years ago
Reply to  Guitar Slinger

PS; I think F1 driver Lewis Hamilton said it best when asked why he’d bought a Pagani Zonda 760 (LH) rather than a P1 or an AMG SLS back when he was with McLaren when he said ;

” My work car is an automatic . I want my street car to be fun ! “

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Michael Banovsky
Author
Michael Banovsky
8 years ago
Reply to  Guitar Slinger

Of course. And the environment/drive has a lot to do with this as well. When I first started off-roading, an automatic was the best option simply because I found it really weird, like, driving over stuff…easier to concentrate on learning a good technique, in some ways.

Sorry about your leg injury. Perhaps an ideal solution would be something like Porsche’s Sportomatic, where you get to move the shift lever and play with a secondary hand throttle, but the clutch part is done automatically. Never driven one, however…

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Francois Bozonnet
Francois Bozonnet
8 years ago
Reply to  Michael Banovsky

i drove the mondial T with the valeo clutch. i can compare with the original Mondial T that i owned in the same period. it was really fun (even if the test was short). maybe you can try to find one…
nb: you can read a full try of this car in ferrarissima n°14 first serie.

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