[swamp2]

Originally Posted by bruce.augenstein@comcast.

Shall I now correct you by eliminating the extra "s"?

Sure, correct away.

Originally Posted by bruce.augenstein@comcast.

I have no damn idea what this paragraph means. Really.

What is the difference between the human actuation required to shift an automated manual vs. a traditional manual with a cluch pedal? In one you pull a paddle, in the other you push a foot lever (clutch) and then push or pull a hand lever (gear shift lever). Either way the process is IN ESSENCE, FOR BOTH TRANSMISSIONS, a manual process (literally manual meaning with the hand). It seems to be nothing more than pride and you curmudgeonly attitude that drives you to separate these two forms of a manual transmission. There is no reason to let a computer and some hydraulics intimidate you. A dual clutch, despite these systems is more like a manual inside and out, even in your precious "cockpit centric" point of view. One lever has replaced two levers. Wow what a difference. I mean its huge...

Originally Posted by bruce.augenstein@comcast.

In point of fact, as with any auto (dating back to that '41 Olds "Hydramatic"), it shifts itself, or you can manually shift it. Plus of course it has two pedals instead of three. I continue to call it an automatic (just like all those other designs), but I don't mind a bit if you call it something else. Just try not to flash your nomenclature badge all over the place. You lack authority.

Why resist clarity in communication? Despite recent advances in modern automatic transmissions there is a very strong and deserved stigma associated with them. Traditionally they have been a poor choice for road course enthusiasts/racers. You can make that your personal mission to change that stigma and I'd only say good luck. Alternatively to indicate the immense differences inside the units (DCT vs. traditional automatics), the real world FEEL and OPERATIONAL differences, as well as something that describes the precious number of levers in the user interface, there is a logical choice - call an apple an apple. Automated manual or dual clutch are the better terms, period. You seem to continue to reject these to sort of minimize these products and lump them into a class with a ton of stigma. It has nothing to do with authority, it is about correct and effective terminology which under most circumstances you seem to care about very much.

You can continue to use any term you want. I'll continue to be critical of your choice.

Originally Posted by bruce.augenstein@comcast.

The one I drove was fine when you were chasing after it (spectacular, in fact), but not very smooth on takeoff, or in slow-speed shifting. I continue to read about folks who have hesitation problems (reluctance to pick a gear) at very low speeds.

I'm not sure what you drove. I've never, even 2 software updates prior, had any smoothness issues whatsoever. I've also never had and take off issues whatsoever. I've never had problems where the system could not pick a gear. There have been two major M-DCT problems both addressed to about a 90%+ level or better (100% for sure for the first). One is a delay between upshifts done manually and the actual shift. The other is the much discussed lag, which although absolutely DCT related, was most likely a throttle control issue.

The transmission behaves wonderfully at either a granny pace or a race pace. Of course dual clutch units only continue to get better, higher torque capacities, improved software, lower parasitic losses, etc.