Blown said:Junkpunch - Do you consider a triptronic an automatic? How about the F1 paddle system on the ferraris? You don't use a clutch to shift the gears but you can still manually select them.
Well those sort of blur the lines, don't they? The Tiptronic is a great tranny, no doubt. There is still a delay in shifting though, because the shift is done electronically and not mechanically like with a manual with a clutch. I've spent a lot of time driving a 2001 A6 with a Tip, and it's about as close to a true manual as any auto I have driven. Not sure about how the F1 paddle system works. Obviously it works pretty well or they wouldn't be using it!