The Manual Is NOT Dead

Writer Aaron Miller (IF that’s his real name) has lost it. In his Thrillist article, “Let’s Admit It: Manual Transmissions Need to Go,” Miller proposes that we should give up on the manual gearbox — that the third pedal should be a dead-pedal. Let’s examine why he is wrong. Oh, but first, let’s all shout to the heavens, “Save The Manuals!”

First, I will say Mr. Miller is correct in the assertion that automatic, or computer controlled manuals have gotten supremely quicker over the last decade. The fastest shifting transmissions, devoid of human intervention outside of flipping a paddle, can switch gears in a fifth of the time it takes the best of us to row the shift lever. This in turn will help you go down, or around a racetrack, more speedily. Undoubtedly. This is, however, completely missing the point.

Miller admits that there is a great deal of enjoyment in driving cars of yesteryear that are equipped with manual transmissions, but that’s probably about where he and I are no longer in agreement. In his claims, Miller insists that the purity has been lost in today’s auto-blipping manuals. I argue it’s not about purity — it has never been about purity.

Let’s not focus too much on the fact that, because of modern technology, we aren’t required to master the heel-toe. Most, if not all, new manual gearboxes have a function that will hold the RPMs and even give them a little bump between gear changes. Sure, this takes some of the fun out of the “analog” transmission, but it is a small slice of the big picture.

Let us instead look at your total body involvement. Every appendage is completing a task and working in time. It’s almost as if the cerebellum — the part of your brain that controls reflex response and automatic movement — is itself listening to the car’s engine and orchestrating your limbs to stay within the power band and not lose forward momentum. The connection between driver and car can be felt with every shift through the fulcrum in the gear lever, making your body every bit of the mechanical equation as the transmission. You’re not going to get that with “flappy-paddles.”

Cars like the Porsche 911 R are created because this connection exists. True 911 “purists” roll their eyes at water cooled 911s – you think they give a damn if a modern Porsche has a manual transmission? They don’t. It is for the enthusiast. It’s for the person who doesn’t care about shaving a tenth off his lap time, but instead is getting a thrill pulling a hand off the steering wheel, grabbing the shift knob, simultaneously lifting off the throttle and depressing the clutch, and then physically putting the transmission into the next gear. If this simple action does nothing for your soul, perhaps a CVT, or better yet, autonomy is in your future.

Chime in with your thoughts on the forum. >>

Via [Thrillist]

Photos [Jalopnik]