Fortunately yes! At least in my area which is the southern tip of NY. I have a rule that at least two significant rainstorms have to occur to wash the winter salt before I can drive!
Awesome Alex. Have had mine out several times after the Major this winter. Will post some picts and video, The Valeo is a dream! JZ
Strange, I suppose...Drive one and you'll say "this is awesome." You have all the pleasure of the gated shifter and none of discomfort of having the depress the clutch pedal. The microprocessors in the shift lever send a signal to the actuator to engage the clutch pedal. It's a brilliant design and the forerunner to present day F1 paddle shifters, but better and more reliable.
Originally built for the Lancia (rally) racing team so they could ALWAYS have one foot on the accelerator and one on the brakes- that my understanding anyways. And as Alex pointed out, and I said in another Valeo thread, or maybe earlier in this one, a pre-cursor of sorts to the paddle shifters of today. Again that my understanding anyways.
Yes, all correct by my understanding. Imagine the time saved, especially in a race, by having a system where your right foot stays on the gas and your left is the brake, while being able to shift gears in milliseconds...Pretty amazing stuff for the late 80's. What makes it so great is that they aren't known to break and are simple electromechanical systems.
Aston Martin had a similar setup 10 years later with their Vanquish and Vanquish S. Manual gearbox with the clutch actuated hydromechanically (at least my understanding). Instead of a stick, they used the paddles on the wheel, so less intuitive. Ferrari was certainly at the forefront of technology in that regard. Regards, Jerry
Interesting, Jerry, I learn something new everyday. I guess the concept of how the system works isn't so complicated, in fact it's simple. I feel that the best part about the Valeo system is that the gated shifter experience is not lost. IMO, a lot of the reason why people don't go with F1 paddle shifters is because they want to row their own gears and enjoy the click clack of the infamous Ferrari gated shifter. The Valeo is a "best of both worlds" system!
is it possible to actually change gear quickly though?? I dont see the point at all if you cant shift through the gears really quick? I'd like to see a video of it being used 'pressing on'......
I think you will find the computer (even 25 years old) can shift faster than most humans. But I defer to someone who actually drives one..... @alexion That is the beauty of the Valeo. It is instinctive. Just row the stick. Once you get past the lack of the 3rd pedal, it is easy. In other cars, you need to work the paddles, one for upshift and one for downshift and neutral (typically pull both towards you for neutral) is NOT instinctive. Regards, Jerry
I'm clearly "going easy" on it in this video clip. I'm not racing or trying to shift quickly, though the system responds in milliseconds. Lanica won back to back championships using the Valeo system. Right foot on the gas, left foot on the brake, gear shifts in milliseconds. By the time your brain understands its shifting gears, the Valeo system already did it.
sounds superb! Would love to see a clip of it in action! The Mondi T makes a great noise to go with....
Couple of questions on the Valeo, I’ve always been intrigued by this system: What about when downshifting? Does it rev-match? Or do you still have to manually press the accelerator to match the revs? How does it decide how quickly to disengage the clutch when starting off? Is it like the F1 where gentle throttle application will result in slower clutch release, and stomping on the gas will essentially dump the clutch?
Hi Alex, Here's a "red carpet "bit for ya - -- - show us your Valeo assisted rev matching down shfts!! Amazing ,neh?
Hi Nathan, The system does not automatically rev match. The clutch engagement is dependent on throttle application, though in all honesty, I don’t gun it off the line. Gear shifts are as fast as you can row the gated shifter. When your hand is on the shift lever from 1st to 2nd, or any other gear for that matter, the clutch is already engaged and waiting for the shift. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hi Hank - I hope all is well! I’ve been trying to fill in a bit and keep the Valeo notoriety alive, but truthfully I have some big shoes to fill. I consider you to be our resident expert and far more well versed and articulate that I on our marvelous cars. I suppose I can create some additional video clips, but the driving experience is what truly does the system justice. I welcome any local Ferraristi to come for a ride! Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Hi Hank!! We miss you here!! Maybe every time I/we see “the a/c is not functioning, judt needs a re-charge” I will comment as you used to. lol Anyways more info on the Valeo, but again I’m no expert. As I previously stated there is/was a YouTube video, I think produced by Road&Track, maybe Motor Trend, the subject of which is the Valeo system. I remember it as being approx 6 minutes long. The commentator/driver using the system is a woman!! And the car being driven is one of MY unicorns (non-red Valeo t coupe). As also previously stated the Valeo system was developed for the Lancia rally team when Lancia RULED rally!! Think the Lancia Stratos, one of the most beautiful and iconic cars ever produced (3 consecutive years rally champion) and the Lancia Delta Integrale, the ORIGINAL “hot hatch” (6 consecutive years rally champion!!) Even now, 25 yrs later, a Delta Integrale Evo will eat a VW Golf (Rabbit) GTI for breakfast!! If I remember correctly Lancia is still the most successful marque in rally history despite withdrawing from rally racing in the mid-90’s(!!) I believe. And if anyone wants to see the most incredible driving imaginable (imho) just google “rally racing you tube”. ENJOY!! Temple