You've guessed it, another one of my crazy ideas. However, this one is the icing on the cake

Get ready for some reading because I have a lot of explaining to do.  I was sharing my crazy Idea for an automatic transmission with a H-pattern manual mode with a Facebook group of manual gearbox enthusiasts.  However with a lot of criticism and support from them, I was able to brainstorm another crazy but better idea.  Behold:


The purpose of this change is to attract not just those driving automatics, but those who drive manuals as well.  Like the manual gearbox enthusiasts commented on Facebook about my idea, "The H pattern isn't the thrill, it is the whole experience" and "It's all meaningless without a clutch".  One guy actually gave me advice saying "If you really insist on automating a manual transmission, start with a manual (clutch and H shift), then add yourself an "auto mode".. That, I'll buy!"  So I'm taking him at his word.

So they're three different shift modes:

• The Automatic shift mode.  Shifts automatically (no use of clutch pedal).
• The Automated H-Shift Manual.  You shift manually through six available gears, all with the clutch being automated (no need to press it to disengage).  To change it to Traditional Manual Mode, make a full stop, firmly hold the clutch pedal all the way down and press the clutch pedal activation button on the dashboard.
• The Traditional Manual Mode.  To activate the manual clutch pedal is as simple as pressing a button on the dashboard.  When in automatic mode in order to switch to traditional manual mode, make a full stop, fully press down on the clutch pedal and move the shifter into 1st gear.  Same rues apply for putting it back into automatic mode, you come to a complete stop and then you fully press down on the clutch and put it back into drive.  To change it to Automated H-Shift Manual mode, be at a full stop and press all the way down on the clutch pedal and press the clutch pedal activation button on the dashboard.

How it all works is for the automated H-shift mode it's practically the same as I've explained it before.  And you know how the auto mode works.  The full manual mode when the clutch activation button is on enables the clutch pedal and disables certain components of the torque converter to allow full-on manual shifting.

It's a universal use gearbox.  Almost anybody could drive it.  Auto mode for city commutes, Automated H-Manual Mode for someone learning how to drive a stick shift and the Traditional Manual Mode for the experts at stick shift driving.  I hope you liked reading this blog post and I hope you liked this idea better than the previous ones.

Type to you later,

Nicholas Bonneau.