Quote:
Originally Posted by mkoesel
I do but it really has nothing to do with whether one transmission is a more of a technological leap than another, which was the central point of your retort as I read it. When it comes down to it, it doesn't really matter if we are talking about the first transmission ever concevied or some new transmission built using alien technology or wizardry.
Instead, it is simply a matter of avoiding a falacy of misclasification.
Manual transmissions
--------------------
H-gated, clutched
Sequential manual (no clutch pedeal)
Sequential manual (with clutch pedal)
Automatic transmissions
-----------------------
Planetary with torque converter
Planetary with wet clutch
Electrohydraulically clutched (what BMW improperly termed "SMG")
Belted CVT
Toroidal CVT
We could go on, I'm sure there are others. The important part here is that all transmission will fall into one group or the other. Or if you really want, make that automatic group the automanual group instead (it's more accurate after all, as I've conceded earlier).
What doesn't make sense - unless there is some ulterior motive, IMHO - is to insist that the DCT be set apart from all these others merely because its innovative.
If anything, one could argue CVT is the odd man out here, deserving its own category since these transmission don't really shift at all in the traditional sense (well some do, but this is done artificially).
|
So innovation and large internal differences are indeed one of my criteria, however, as I've provided many times in prior posts there are other criteria that are just as important. And for those exact reasons I do think a CVT deserves its own category. Here is seems the OEMs and journalists also agree. CVTs are typically called CVTs not automatics. One key differentiator for CVTs is feel. Wow do they feel unique when driving them.
Dogmatic insistence that every single transmission fit neatly into one of two categories does a disservice in my opinion. Disservice to all who want to know what it is and how it will feel and work in addition to something about the user interface.
Also the clutchless sequential offers an interesting case. It is automatic in that the clutch is automatic. Your "bar" must then involve rising to the automatic category
only if both the clutching and gear lever movements are automated?
Finally, calling terminology opinions different than yours a "fallacy" is a bit of a stretch....
I am going to ask the mods to split off this topic and make a new thread for it.