Now here’s something interesting. Lamborghini, the maker of fast Italian bulls, may be ditching the manual transmission on future models. The company is said to be concentrating on such things as fuel economy (in a Lambo?) as well as weight savings. Some people believe that driving a manual transmission and rowing through the gears is driving in the purest sense. There is a synergy that takes place between the driver and the automobile that makes both man and machine feel like one unit. I understand and appreciate it, but quite honestly it wouldn’t bother me in the least if the manual transmission went away.
Sure, a manual is fun to drive, but only when your really driving. Around town they suck, in traffic they suck and if you miss a gear then that sucks too. On the track they are rewarding, however the new paddle shifted transmissions are getting so good it’s criminal. Ferrari’s SMG transmission for example is pure driving bliss. The shifts, in fact are so fast that there is no way that anyone with a manual will be able to match it. Plus, the fun factor of simply blipping through the gears cannot be matched. The above is a video of me and my buddy Larry driving a Ferrari F430 Scuderia. Just watch how quick and precise the shifts are. I can say this from experience, drive a car like the Scuderia once with it’s paddle shifted transmission and you will NEVER want to drive a car with a manual again – they ARE that good.