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Be sure not to get Ferrari's F1 box and BMW's SMG confused with those of other companies, such as, Porsche's Tiptronic, Mercedes, Chrysler's Autostick, and what have you. All of the later are simply automatics that have been fitted with controls that allow you to use a button, or a sequential action to shift. BMW and Ferrari have gone a different route and use conventional manual transmissions, except everything (clutch actuation, shift linkage) is controlled by high pressure hydraulics. These types of transmissions are actually pretty impressive. BMW's SMG can click off shifts in .08 seconds. These cars will also match revs perfectly on downshifts by blipping the throttle. Toyota just release something similar for their MR-S, however, I hear it needs some refinement. None of these boxes are sequential, which is what is used by CART, F1, and in virtually all motorcycles. The only truly sequential road going box I have seen was for a Nissan Skyline with a price tag of $11,000.
I wasn't trying to put anyone down, and obviously, if you are unable to use a manual that's completely different. I just think that you loose a large part of the driving experience, and connection with the vehicle when you don't shift on your own. Some think it becomes annoying, I think it becomes second nature.
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2500 Pounds of steel, rubber, and fire. AAAHHHH!
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