I guess using more gears is another approach to the the optimal or
efficient use of the engine. I have never driven 8 or 9 speed automatic,
but this VW Tiguan has 6 gears and it provides one of the best experience I
ever had with automatics. No constant changes back and forth, somehow it
senses if I would like to drive sporty or comfy. Even cruising on the
highway when there is a steeper uphill it tries to keep it up with the
current gear and only makes changes when it is absolutely necessary. With
overtaking manoeuvres if I press the accelerator firmly it does change back
but it happens really fast -- I think it is faster than I would do that by
myself on a manual (and I drove manual for 20 years). My old Opel Omega
with its 4 speed and torque converter was completely different story. That
was the type you have just described with sluggish response and constant
changes at certain conditions. I guess that was without any electronic
unit, just the fluid pressure kind of old engineering.

If you have a free weekend just test drive one of the Germans (Mercedes,
Audi, Volkswagen, BMW), so you can see if you like these new type of
gearboxes with the turbo charge engines -- and it is even free ;-)

Tamas


On 15 August 2012 21:24, Jonathan Hallameyer <jmhtau@gmail.com> wrote:

> ugh, I can only imagine how laggy and unresponsive an 8 or 9 speed
> auto would be. I had a rental chevy cruise with a 5 speed auto, and it
> seemed like any time you changed the throttle position more than a
> little bit you had to wait for it to shift gears before any
> acceleration would start. an 8 speed? change the throttle from 10-20%
> for cruising, to 40% to try and speed up to pass someone, and have to
> wait for it to shift down 3 gears, and if you go to WOT after that,
> then wait for it to shift down another 3. Redefining slush box.
>
> --
> Jonathan Hallameyer
>
>
> >
> > Hmm, with Chrysler claiming to be coming out with a 9 speed auto (they
> already have an 8 speed) as a cheap way of meeting US requirements for
> improved fuel economy, I can see why autos are getting much more fuel
> efficient - far cry from the two speed (three speed if you had an expensi=
ve
> model) plus torque converter ...
>
> --
> http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
> View/change your membership options at
> http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
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http://www.piclist.com PIC/SX FAQ & list archive
View/change your membership options at
http://mailman.mit.edu/mailman/listinfo/piclist
.