Automatic transmission - Present and the Future

sri · 25th May 2007, 15:33

Today in the less than 10 lakhs segment i think only Santro and NHC are available.

1. Can the experts add on if more cars are available right now apart from the above?
2. Are there any more auto transmission cars being launched in the next 6 months?

it would be good to see swift,swift-diesel,spark,fusion to be coming out with auto transmission.

Also if there is a review of the above pls post the link.

HSV · 25th May 2007, 16:54

Yahoo!!! Finally another A/T supporter! Common y'all, wakeup. Its high time hassle free affordable driving was available to us as an option. Would the manufacturers please take note!

regards,

MaserQ · 25th May 2007, 17:29

The 'paisa vasool' factor plays a major part in a car buyer's decision. As a result, auto trannies are not too popular because of the drop in fuel economy. But yes, things will change if car manufacturers offer more efficient auto gearboxes on their small city cars.

Hellcat · 25th May 2007, 17:57

Automatics are Ideal in crowded cities and a terrific boon for beginners and inexperienced drivers. Millions of people worldwide are driving automatic transmission cars.

Guess the reason we don't prefer automatics because of maintenance, performance, resale value, fuel consumption etc.

Some people say an automatic does not give a driver the feeling of being in charge of the vehicle.

risga · 25th May 2007, 18:08

The Wagon R also has an AT option, but in this case its only a primitive 3 speed box.

I owned a Kinetic Honda earlier and fully appreciate the comfort of AT. Sadly, most models do not have this option and secondly the price difference is a killer.

In terms of maintenance its as good as a manual box. Infact, as there is no mechanical clutch, there is no clutch wear as in manual transmission cars.

I have also heard of a term "semi-automatic" advertised. Anybody with a first hand experience about it. From what I know, its an after market fitment and something to do with hydraulic control of the clutch at the press of a button. So saves the effort of depressing the clutch with left foot.

kpbhatt · 25th May 2007, 18:23

finally someone talking @ AT -- i prefer driving comfort above all and the manual tranny cannot provide that in the traffic conditions of our cities; how i wish the manufacturers could have more variants of ATs than MTs a LA US

mail4ajo · 25th May 2007, 18:26

Quote:

Originally Posted by sri

Today in the less than 10 lakhs segment i think only Santro and NHC are available.

You forgot the WagonR. When I was in the US, the only manual car, I saw was a Pathfinder. 98% cars are Auto. Well they are not bothered about FE. Fuel is cheap.

HSV · 25th May 2007, 19:10

Quote:

Originally Posted by mail4ajo

Well they are not bothered about FE. Fuel is cheap.

Not sure but I think that out of the billion odd in population that we have, there must be quite a few like you and me who wouldnt mind paying that Re 1 per km extra to enjoy the added convenience.

abhibh · 25th May 2007, 19:14

I love to see some AT's around really. But i will only buy an AT if and only if my car is going to be shared by some elderly or some women drivers and the second probability being i gonna buy this car for woman in the house.

mail4ajo · 25th May 2007, 20:30

Quote:

Originally Posted by abhibh

some elderly or some women drivers and the second probability being i gonna buy this car for woman in the house.

Why is there a notion that most women prefer AT? I understand elderly people, but why women? Its a gift to have AT in the city and on incline driving.
Are maintainence costs higher in AT cars? Do the gearboxes have lesser life?

vivekiny2k · 25th May 2007, 20:46

Quote:

Originally Posted by mail4ajo

Why is there a notion that most women prefer AT? I understand elderly people, but why women? Its a gift to have AT in the city and on incline driving.
Are maintainence costs higher in AT cars? Do the gearboxes have lesser life?

given the margin of human error, i guess it will be the other way round.

I don't remember many A/Ts with fried clutch plates in their teens.

rr_zen · 25th May 2007, 21:23

I have been driving manual transmission cars in India for more than a decade and ever since I came to the US last year I had to opt for an automatic transmission purely for the resale value I expect when I sell the car on my return to India next year. Personally, I like a manual anyday as it gives me a feeling that I am in charge. Its the difference between a moped and a geared two-wheeler.

The automatic, though I must admit is convenient to drive, does not fall in line with my expectations. For instance, while climbing an incline, the car doesnt shift to a higher gear at the same time I would had it been a manual transmission. The fact is that an automatic is dependent on rpm changes and is programmed to change gears based on that.

That being said, an automatic is for sure fun to drive and the maintenance costs do not burn a hole in your pocket. But the low prices of fuel is for sure a predominant factor for people to opt for an automatic in the US besides the convenience aspect.

Fiero · 25th May 2007, 21:25

today's well made smart automatics impose about a 5 %penalty on FE due to torque converter ... CVT is great technology ... the convinience in congested city traffic , epsecially when you're stressed out , cannot be overstated ... things will change in the coming decade ... with transmissions offering auto + paddle shift manual it'll be great fun ... i'd like to see some good diesel autos soon in the C segment ... Ford - Durashift , Hyndai , MARUTI(we expect you to set an example) .. like the SX4 .... anyone listening ....

msdivy · 25th May 2007, 21:45

Taking cue from 2-wheeler segment, the way Honda Activa (with 3 month waiting period) and other are doing, I am sure same thing will to cars in about few years.
Regarding FE: I guess with technology, it wont be long before AT gives better FE than MT.

theMAG · 25th May 2007, 22:35

The title of the thread is misleading towards its content.

Wagon R is rumored to have an autobox sometime in the not-too-distant future.

Slush boxes purchased by the masses in India looks herculean even in the years to come. Not until the CVT is available on a Rs 4-lakh car.

25th May 2007, 15:33	#1
sri Newbie Join Date: May 2007 Location: bangalore Posts: 14 Thanked: 0 Times	Automatic transmission - Present and the Future Today in the less than 10 lakhs segment i think only Santro and NHC are available. 1. Can the experts add on if more cars are available right now apart from the above? 2. Are there any more auto transmission cars being launched in the next 6 months? it would be good to see swift,swift-diesel,spark,fusion to be coming out with auto transmission. Also if there is a review of the above pls post the link.
	() Thanks

25th May 2007, 16:54	#2
HSV BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: New Delhi Posts: 327 Thanked: Once	Yahoo!!! Finally another A/T supporter! Common y'all, wakeup. Its high time hassle free affordable driving was available to us as an option. Would the manufacturers please take note! regards,
	() Thanks

25th May 2007, 17:29	#3
MaserQ Senior - BHPian Join Date: Oct 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,196 Thanked: 166 Times	The 'paisa vasool' factor plays a major part in a car buyer's decision. As a result, auto trannies are not too popular because of the drop in fuel economy. But yes, things will change if car manufacturers offer more efficient auto gearboxes on their small city cars.
	() Thanks

25th May 2007, 17:57	#4
Hellcat BHPian Join Date: Jul 2005 Location: Bangalore Posts: 222 Thanked: 5 Times View My Garage	Automatics are Ideal in crowded cities and a terrific boon for beginners and inexperienced drivers. Millions of people worldwide are driving automatic transmission cars. Guess the reason we don't prefer automatics because of maintenance, performance, resale value, fuel consumption etc. Some people say an automatic does not give a driver the feeling of being in charge of the vehicle.
	() Thanks

25th May 2007, 18:08	#5
risga BHPian Join Date: Mar 2005 Location: Mumbai Posts: 233 Thanked: 59 Times	The Wagon R also has an AT option, but in this case its only a primitive 3 speed box. I owned a Kinetic Honda earlier and fully appreciate the comfort of AT. Sadly, most models do not have this option and secondly the price difference is a killer. In terms of maintenance its as good as a manual box. Infact, as there is no mechanical clutch, there is no clutch wear as in manual transmission cars. I have also heard of a term "semi-automatic" advertised. Anybody with a first hand experience about it. From what I know, its an after market fitment and something to do with hydraulic control of the clutch at the press of a button. So saves the effort of depressing the clutch with left foot.
	() Thanks

25th May 2007, 18:23	#6
kpbhatt BHPian Join Date: Mar 2007 Location: Pune Posts: 349 Thanked: 33 Times View My Garage	finally someone talking @ AT -- i prefer driving comfort above all and the manual tranny cannot provide that in the traffic conditions of our cities; how i wish the manufacturers could have more variants of ATs than MTs a LA US
	() Thanks

25th May 2007, 19:14	#9
abhibh Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2005 Location: Back in the HOOD near you! Posts: 2,768 Thanked: 39 Times	I love to see some AT's around really. But i will only buy an AT if and only if my car is going to be shared by some elderly or some women drivers and the second probability being i gonna buy this car for woman in the house.
	() Thanks

25th May 2007, 21:23	#12
rr_zen Senior - BHPian Join Date: Sep 2006 Location: Chennai, India Posts: 1,799 Thanked: 400 Times View My Garage	I have been driving manual transmission cars in India for more than a decade and ever since I came to the US last year I had to opt for an automatic transmission purely for the resale value I expect when I sell the car on my return to India next year. Personally, I like a manual anyday as it gives me a feeling that I am in charge. Its the difference between a moped and a geared two-wheeler. The automatic, though I must admit is convenient to drive, does not fall in line with my expectations. For instance, while climbing an incline, the car doesnt shift to a higher gear at the same time I would had it been a manual transmission. The fact is that an automatic is dependent on rpm changes and is programmed to change gears based on that. That being said, an automatic is for sure fun to drive and the maintenance costs do not burn a hole in your pocket. But the low prices of fuel is for sure a predominant factor for people to opt for an automatic in the US besides the convenience aspect. Last edited by rr_zen : 25th May 2007 at 21:24.
	() Thanks

25th May 2007, 21:25	#13
Fiero BHPian Join Date: Mar 2006 Location: Mumbai Posts: 352 Thanked: 146 Times	today's well made smart automatics impose about a 5 %penalty on FE due to torque converter ... CVT is great technology ... the convinience in congested city traffic , epsecially when you're stressed out , cannot be overstated ... things will change in the coming decade ... with transmissions offering auto + paddle shift manual it'll be great fun ... i'd like to see some good diesel autos soon in the C segment ... Ford - Durashift , Hyndai , MARUTI(we expect you to set an example) .. like the SX4 .... anyone listening ....
	() Thanks

25th May 2007, 21:45	#14
msdivy Senior - BHPian Join Date: Aug 2006 Location: Bangalore Posts: 1,815 Thanked: 2,826 Times	Taking cue from 2-wheeler segment, the way Honda Activa (with 3 month waiting period) and other are doing, I am sure same thing will to cars in about few years. Regarding FE: I guess with technology, it wont be long before AT gives better FE than MT.
	() Thanks

25th May 2007, 22:35	#15
theMAG Distinguished - BHPian Join Date: May 2006 Location: Avon, CT Posts: 7,217 Thanked: 1,807 Times View My Garage	The title of the thread is misleading towards its content. Wagon R is rumored to have an autobox sometime in the not-too-distant future. Slush boxes purchased by the masses in India looks herculean even in the years to come. Not until the CVT is available on a Rs 4-lakh car.
	() Thanks