The Elio Standard Transmission

[ross]

Funny how perception works. I am tickled pink that a manual is even offered. An AMT would be just fine. 99.9% work just like they where designed to.

Have you driven one?

 

[ross]

I know some forum members here have experience with an AMT. They seem to be, along with CVTs, the "next new thing", however. This one will be a single, dry-clutch design. AMTs potentially have a lot of advantages over traditional torque-converter based automatics in that they have no fluid coupling losses, are much lighter, less complex, cheaper, and probably some other things I'm not remembering off of the top of my head. Dual-clutch designs (like those used in high end sports cars, and increasingly more frequently used in "typical" cars) seem to be highly praised overall. The dual-clutches, as I understand it, basically allow the transmission to be ready for either an upshift or downshift very quickly, and thus very smooth operation. Single-clutch designs suffer in this regard, though.

At the moment I'm having a hard time finding specific information on what kind of transmissions the Elio will use, besides that they will be made by Aisin, and will be 5-speeds. This Suzuki Celerio in the video I linked above may have a different transmission entirely, though I'm certain the general operation will be basically the same to what the AMT-equipped Elio will be like.

I too am a bit hesitant on the AMTs operation, due to negative reviews I've seen of the Smart Fortwo's AMT. I'm going to hope that I'll be able to read many reviews and even test drive one before making my final decision on getting the AMT or just getting the standard manual transmission.

I'm having trouble finding much info on AMTs, keep in mind I'm a gearhead and had never of such a thing before yesterday, I have found that the dual clutch performs much better than the single clutch, but is much more expensive. What is the extra expense besides one more clutch disc? Strictly internet information, I still know of no one who owns one or has driven one. Like I said me and my gearhead buddies had never even heard of such a thing.

 

[ross]

No one can make that decision for you but I do know I am looking forward to trying it. My 1999 Camry is an automatic and I probably could go with manual since I don't do a lot of driving in traffic. However, if I can afford it I will get the AMT. I consider it simply another adventure to be undertaken with my Elio. I do so love adventures. Z

I am too, but keep in mind I spend three hours a day just in my commute to and from work and I know how to shift a transmission, I don't want to be stuck with a vehicle that jerks or lugs or doesn't keep the rpm in the 'sweet spot'. The only reason I got an automatic tranny in my PT Loser was that both transmissions were covered under the lifetime powertrain warranty, the torque was covered with an automatic but the clutch wasn't with the manual tranny. I'm just going to wait and gather more info on the AMT.

 

[ross]

When stopped at a traffic light does the tranny shift into neutral and engage the clutch or does it leave it in gear and slip the clutch? I love how a torque convertor pulls from a dead stop, I hear the dual clutch does a good job of the same task, but the single clutch, not so well.
Has someone here driven an AMT? I don't care about the Elgin gauges, I don't give a sh$t which side the gas cap is on. Can the dam thing bang through the gears like it should, or do I have to do it myself?

 

[Jambe]

Has someone here driven an AMT?

I have driven an AMT and didn't even know it until I read about it here. It was in a 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. I don't know where you work--in Yakima or Walla Walla? You might find a Sprinter delivery van somewhere in 'the city' and talk to the driver. My only complaint would be that occasionally it was a little slow to up-shift when I was manually changing gears..

 

[champsman]

Here are some AMT review/details

http://www.ieeecss.org/sites/ieeecs...T-Part2-16AutomatedManualTransmissions-LR.pdf
http://www.autotrader.com/research/...definitions-automated-manual-transmission.jsp
http://www.magnetimarelli.com/excellence/technological-excellences/amt

 

[ross]

I have driven an AMT and didn't even know it until I read about it here. It was in a 2014 Mercedes-Benz Sprinter chassis. I don't know where you work--in Yakima or Walla Walla? You might find a Sprinter delivery van somewhere in 'the city' and talk to the driver. My only complaint would be that occasionally it was a little slow to up-shift when I was manually changing gears..

I am between Yakima and Walla Walla, 'The town so nice they named it twice'. I live 30 north of the Tri-Cities, Pasco, Kennewick, and Richland. I have seen the M-B vans around, I believe the American Pickers drive one. I don't understand how it was slow to upshift when you were manually changing gears? Does that mean we can manually shift an AMT without a clutch pedal? I'm still really new to this concept. I just trust that Paul's dream E-car will appeal to the masses and I will love an AMT as much as I do the rest of the vehicle, including the Elgin gauges, the cap less fuel filler, no matter which side it's on. I know I love every thing else about it, I mean really, and I can't say this enough, American made with 90% North American content, 5 star safety rating, 84 MPG $6,800, what's not to love, I just can't get mine soon enough, every time I gas up I know I am just wasting money and all my friends are too. This thing is going to take the country by storm. Any of you old motor heads remember what a rousing success the '65 Mustang was, Ford couldn't produce them fast enough to meet demand, it took GM two years to catch up with the Camaro, Mopar never did. Well folks you aint seen nothing yet, when this thing hits the streets, everyone's going to want one. Thank goodness it's still flying under the radar as most people have never heard of it, for all of you still on the fence, you have 'till Christmas to get a 50% bonus and a production number, if not I won't feel sorry for you if you have to wait another year to get yours. For me, AMT, Elgin gauges, and by Christmas next year. Please Santa!

 

[ross]

Here are some AMT review/details

http://www.ieeecss.org/sites/ieeecs...T-Part2-16AutomatedManualTransmissions-LR.pdf
http://www.autotrader.com/research/...definitions-automated-manual-transmission.jsp
http://www.magnetimarelli.com/excellence/technological-excellences/amt

Wow. Thanks I'd seen the last 2 but not the first one, I'm feeling better about AMT, again thanks.

 

[BlioKart]

I believe it is simply personal preference as automotive CVT's do have a different feel and sound to them than others types of automatics.

I have a friend who has has owned three Nissan CVT equipped vehicles over the last decade and loves them however I have driven several thousand miles in several Nissan CVT vehicles and absolutely can't stand the way they operate.

Over the last two decades my daily driver has nearly always been a manual transmission vehicle and compared to those I find CVT equipped vehicles to be incredibly slow in responding to power demands. I actually ended up changing my preferred car rental company to avoid a company whose fleet was primarily composed of Nissan CVT vehicles.

Two people I know had major problems with Nissan CVT's multiple transmission changes under warranty. I have driven them and I don't like them either.

 

[zelio]

Here are some AMT review/details

http://www.ieeecss.org/sites/ieeecs...T-Part2-16AutomatedManualTransmissions-LR.pdf
http://www.autotrader.com/research/...definitions-automated-manual-transmission.jsp
http://www.magnetimarelli.com/excellence/technological-excellences/amt

Thanks for those posts. My only complalint is only one of them had a date and that was the last one which was copyrighted for sometime this year. Great reads though, and I appreciate the information very much. Of course I am not a gearhead but I am learning a lot. :-) Z