F1 transmission

The 458 gearbox is not really like the past Ferrari/Maserati F-1's. However, it works pretty much the same way.

All you do it pull the handles. You keep your foot on the throttle. Right is for upshifting, left is for downshifting. The engine management software does all the work as far as matching the engine to the gearbox. There's a gear number indicator in the Tach. It's very simple and takes only a few minutes to get used to. I've been driving them since 2002 and I like them.

They also have an "auto" mode for valet's or someone who doesn't want to do their own shifting. Personally, I never use it but I can see for some how it might be useful -- especially if you are just stuck in traffic.

 

As bdelp says, very simple and takes only a few minutes to get used to. Only problem I had when I first drove one (a 355 F1 a long time ago) was for the first five junctions and roundabouts I slammed on the breaks as my left foot automatically depressed the clutch. Of course, there is no clutch so I ended up stamping the brake to the floor. The sudden stop comes a quite a surprise when you're not expecting it and I was really lucky there was no-one behind me.

Love paddles.

 

As far as the other two posts, they are right on. On the newer F1 tranny's you don't have to worry about lifting the throttle.

The big thing to remember, there is still a clutch. Granted not one you have to press, but there is a clutch. So when you come to a stop put it in neutral (flip both the left and right paddles at the same time) if you have to sit more than a second or two. This is incredibly important in stop and go traffic like Los Angeles and other big cities can experience. If you don't put it in neutral you will burn the clutch fairly quickly. I've heard as early as 1,500 miles. Not sure about that one but a clutch can go much quicker in an F1 than a manual car if one doesn't remember about neutral.

I hope that helps.

 

Are you sure that it is still the case with a dual clutch car? I never put on neutral on my Audi S4...

 

It's not an F1, it's a dual clutch. Different systems.

The clutch in the DCT is a wet clutch, good for the life of the gearbox.

You don't have to put it in neutral at a light or in traffic.

I'd probably ask a LOT of questions at the dealer before I spent $300,000.