If you want to spend 300k on a paddle shift great---- If I wanna spend 300 k on a manual great. It's not about which is better, faster,etc. I want to buy what is the most fun. For me. I don't care what other people (you) enjoy more.
I think Ferrari should remove the flappy paddles and let the car shift automatically. I think using my fingers to shift is too distracting, and the computer probably knows better than I when to shift. There's a great post in FF section about using the car (DCT)in weather. The OP discusses how he left the car in auto mode becuase the tranny is so intuitive. I bet the car would actually be faster with an average driver, left in auto mode, rather than manual mode with human interaction involved. I think steering a car is over rated too. Google has some technology that Ferrari could buy(someday) that would steer the car for me. I bet with the technology google has the car could find the apex of a corner better than I could and therefore it would be faster than if I were steering the car. So where exactly do you draw the line?
Ferrari is not exempt from the fleet mileage requirements, even if Fcar owners don't care much about gasoline costs. I believe that part of the reason for the use of the DCT (and, in particular, the reason that the low-revving "Auto" setting is the default startup) is its greater overall gas efficiency. The DCT is more efficient at getting the engine power to the wheels than a manual or conventional automatic transmission, and that translates into better mileage. This is a real world issue that all exotics are going to have to contend with, and will likely make it increasingly difficult to offer a manual transmission in a new exotic as the mileage requirements continue to climb.
Ferrari SA has to sell cars to customers that will buy their cars. So far Fcar buyers are not the same a Lexus and Cadillac buyers.
There's no right or wrong in such an issue, so draw it wherever you or your customers would like it drawn. On this issue, though, it seems regulators will be drawing that line for all of us.
It's not just demand, it is also emissions led as someone posted earlier. You can't knock either gearbox these days. The paddles work pretty well now and you can never get bored of a well executed manual box. Personally, I think the biggest single reason they have gone completely paddle only is that it makes the car easier to drive. Therefore they sell more as it opens it up to a bigger customer base. Loads of my Dad's friends when I was growing up complained that the cars were too difficult to drive. So, now they have cracked that and anyone can have one. I personally think it is a shame. I like manual more if I am honest in a road car. Paddles are ok on a track, but again it takes away part of the challenge. In terms of overall customer base though, it was the right move. Sadly though, we get more and more legislation to make us drive slower and slower. Sometimes I want a gearchange to be old school, just to give me something to do behind the wheel. I also find I do drive the 458 in auto quite often. Again, I think that is a shame as it makes you a lazy driver. A Ferrari should be driven and driven with vigour. Sometimes I cruise along like I am on valium. I rarely do that in my manual cars.
Very interesting thread... But look at it this way : With manual Ferraris the driver has 5 inputs : 1) Steering 2) Accelerator pedal 3) Brake pedal 4) Gear shift 5) Clutch Let's assign 20% on each input. -On a manual Ferrari driver has 100% control of car with these five inputs -On a F1 Ferrari driver has 70% (-20% for clutch , -10% for gear action since you only control paddles than have less interaction) -On a F1 Ferrari in AUTO mode driver has 60% (-20% clutch , -20% gear shift) So look above and make your choice : 100% Ferrari , 70% Ferrari or 60% Ferrari Sure the 458 Italia F1 with DCT is much faster, but is it more involving ??? Involvement & Skill = Rewarding Drive = FUN !!!!!!!!!! Of course all of the above becomes irrelevant if you want to widen your market and get more people (women, older men, less skilled drivers) to buy your cars.....
Anti-lock brakes reduce driver envolvement...they are also safer. Same can be said about DCT. Can't really miss a shift. There is some trade-off on safety vs envolvement. People make mistakes. Even experts. I remember when A Senna missed a shift ~200 mph and promptly spun off the track. I for one keep the nannies on not wanting to wreck my Fcar or hurt myself. I would refine your numbers further as to time spent while driving. Steering 100% Accelerator 95% Brakes 5% Gearshift <5% Clutch <5% Total inputs < 210% Thus weighted clutch factor < 2.4%
Automatics do prevent engine "lugging". It's alot of wear and tear every manual driver has experienced taking off in 3rd gear or being at too low a speed when selecting a higher cog. Lugging is one of the worst things you can do to an engine.
I suspect many of us do as well. The average age of Ferrari owners in the U.S. is near 50, China a little above 30. I wonder about the age and location of those who say they prefer a manual transmission and how many actually bought a Ferrari? I love the speed of the paddles and the ability to be stuck in traffic without experiencing a leg cramp pressing on a clutch. Best
I think the older cars with manual gearboxes have more character and can be more fun esp on public roads. Its more of a 'experience' but definitely not faster.
I respect all opinions but I just wanted to mention that when driving the 458 hard in race mode it takes plenty of your attention because it's just so darn quick..paddles or not. You are certainly engaged. You are involved. It's not a passive experience at all...at least not for me as a non-professional driver.
I remember sticks were a lot of fun but I also remember slowing down when coming up to a red light in hopes the light would turn green. I never do that in my 458.
half of the people that whine about 3 paddles car is probably just complaining because they can't fast shift fast enough.
This is fun. Steering 25% Accelerator 25% Brakes 25% Gearshift 25% Clutch 0% Total inputs 100% Gearshift has equal weighting for me with everything else, whether it uses a manual clutch or not is unimportant. I put everything as having the same importance as if one item is a let down the whole experience is a let down. The sluggard DCT in my M3 is terrible and it should be a manual (it spoils the whole car unless I'm sat in traffic!), the F1 in my 16M is amazing and that's coming from a manual 430 which was equally amazing!
This is precisely how I feel. I would NEVER have bought my 430 if it only came with a manual transmission. I think that the F1 is very similar to driving a slushbox and that's what I prefer. Do not know how to drive and have no interest in learning how to drive car with a manual gear box.
