[Phoenix SRT]

I read in Automotive News, an industry trade publication, that Magneti Marelli has a retrofit computer controlled hydraulic clutch actuator that eliminates the driver activated clutch. The transmission remains a manual, of course, but the clutch work is done automatically by the computer and the hydraulics. Supposedly, the converstion turns an ordinary manual transmission into the same thing as the sequential manual shifters with automatic clutches currently found on expensive supercars such as Ferrari and Lamborghini.

Does anyone know anything about these?

 

[serpent]

So its a automatic with a fancy name :shrug:

 

[Tracktimeplz]

Most of them shift roughly, break often, and shift SLOWER than a good driver (Especially downshifts).


So bleh

 

[xtn]

Supposedly, the converstion turns an ordinary manual transmission into the same thing as the sequential manual shifters with automatic clutches currently found on expensive supercars such as Ferrari and Lamborghini.

Well that's physically impossible.

It make take a regular manual transmission a step closer - inasmuch as it reduces the need to use the clutch - but it cannot duplicate the rest of the functionality.

xtn

 

[ZAMMY1]

golly, it worked great on my '55 renault 4CV...rotfl
sam

 

[...m...]

...most sequential transmissions use sophisticated dual-clutch mechanisms to reduce shift times by prepping a gear before you're ready to shift, for instantaneous engagement when the moment comes...an automatic clutch on a conventional manual gearbox couldn't duplicate that functionality, and although it's possible that one might be pretty quick, i imagine the introduced complexity would need to be very well-sorted for any potential speed benefits not to be outweighed by the loss of control over the shifting process...

 

[dfa2100]

If I were to lose a arm or somehow lose my ability to shift, this would be a useful device. I'd hate to give up the Lotus for some silly physical handicap. That's the only use I really see for this sort of device... and I think it's a valid device for that use. I wouldn't use it to try and increase performance, though.

 

[proskills]

While I would hate to give up the man pedal... my friend's 330i with SMG is pretty sweet.

 

[ChrisB]

It was available for this same transmission years ago on the Toyota MR Spyder. There was some chatter here quite some time ago about fitting it to an Elise, but I don't think anyone did it.

 

[glb]

It was available for this same transmission years ago on the Toyota MR Spyder. There was some chatter here quite some time ago about fitting it to an Elise, but I don't think anyone did it.

I heard thru my Toyota contact that they didn't hold up. Lots of warranty probs.

 

[xtn]

...most sequential transmissions use sophisticated dual-clutch mechanisms to reduce shift times by prepping a gear before you're ready to shift, for instantaneous engagement when the moment comes...

What you are talking about is the new breed of double-clutch transmissions. MOST sequential transmission DON'T make use of double clutches.

xtn

 

[ChrisB]

I heard thru my Toyota contact that they didn't hold up. Lots of warranty probs.

Most of the automated clutch systems had significant reliability problems in their first generation (BMW, Maserati, Toyota) and most had usability problems (brutal part-throttle shifts). Most of them still have rapid clutch wear issues.