http://cache.jalopnik.com/assets/base/img/thumbs140x140/jalopnik.com.png http://jalopnik.com/tag/automatic http://jalopnik.com/tag/automatic

I normally drive a manual transmission, and generally prefer to, but I'm not blind to the charms of an automatic. Shifting your own gears — what are we, animals? Sure, I get why people want it. And I imagine everyone who's spent any amount of time in an automatic must have wondered, at least once, why PRNDL? More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5870701&view=rss&microfeed=true

The latest infoporn from Hunch.com delves into the site's proprietary user data system to uncover the characteristics of people who can drive cars with a stick shift vs. those who can't. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5842486&view=rss&microfeed=true

Lotus is planning to add a supercharger to its upcoming Evora 2+2. That's a good thing, because they’re also planning versions with an automatic transmission and an electric convertible top. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=5126409&view=rss&microfeed=true

Rumors floating around that the Pontiac G8 GT will be available with a Tremec 6-speed manual transmission for 2009 models have been officially squashed. Currently, all 2008 models will only be available with automatics, though we really weren't expecting anything but the 2009 G8 GXP to be offered with a proper manual gearbox. The word straight from Pontiac's Communication Manager after the jump. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=396917&view=rss&microfeed=true

Today's review car, which you can read about above, features three ways to clutchlessly shift gears. You can push/pull the thumb buttons, push/pull the shifter or just let the automatic do its thing on its own. Assuming you've given in and gotten a slushbox with the manual mode, we're going to give you credit and assume you'll mostly choose the gears yourself. This brings up the question of which is the proper orientation? Wes and I got into a long debate about this ourselves, not being able to agree if it should follow the racer model of forward (away from you) for downshifts and towards you for upshifts, or do the inverse. More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=393665&view=rss&microfeed=true

When the Bangled 7-series dropped just a few short years ago (2002), one of its high-tech highlights was the world's first 6-speed automatic by transmission maker to the stars, ZF. Shortly after the Bimmer dropped, Jaguar, Audi, Bentley, Land Rover and Ford (in their Australia only RWD Falcon) adopted the smooth and torque hungry slushbox. But then Mercedes-Benz came out with a 7-speed auto. Worse, Lexus scooped everyone with an 8-speed. For all those fancy marquees a 6-speed automatic ain't going to cut it. And it won't have to, as ZF just announced their new 8-speed autobox. Aside from the two-extra cogs, ZF is claiming about 6% better mileage compared to the old 6-speed. The new transmission will also send more engine power to the wheels, which we salute. Additionally, the 8-speed has been designed with AWD and hybrid applications in mind. As for the bigger question, will we see a 10-speed auto in 2011? Oh yes, we hope so. Unless DSGs replace conventional autos in high end cars. – Jonny Lieberman More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=257432&view=rss&microfeed=true

There's a lot to love about Maserati's Quattroporte, the snarly V8, the sumo-lizard body shape, the King Henry the XXX interior. But its DuoSelect robotic gearbox, the only one offered up to now, is neither sporty enough nor supple enough to satisfy either end of its range of upper-crust buyers. But, as the company announced this week at the Bologna show, it will soon come with a ZF automatic option. In addition to providing smoother, faster shifts — according to a press release — the new box nearly evens up the sedan's weight distribution (49 percent front / 51 percent rear vs, 47 percent front / 53 percent rear for the DuoSelect). We'll know more at the Detroit show, where the autobox will make its debut. – Mike Spinelli More »
]]> http://jalopnik.com/index.php?op=postcommentfeed&postId=220397&view=rss&microfeed=true