Why have manual transmissions become replaced by paddle shifters and such? What are the benefits in terms of performance?
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You have an automatic transmission. Some years ago, some companies let you put the transmission selector level into a little slot with + and – to allow you to force the transmission to go up or down a gear based on your input instead of its own devices. Paddle shifters are the same thing. You get the option of choosing your own gears like a manual, but the benefits of not having to shift when you don’t want to.
Sometimes it’s not an automatic, but a dual-clutch, which is sort of computer-controlled manual that can work in automatic or paddle mode.
Performance? Automatic vs. manual? Long ago there was a huge gap, especially because automatics had fewer gears. Today that’s close, with six and seven speed automatics available, and they can shift faster than you can. The dual clutch ones can shift extremely fast.
The only downside is you can’t select your own gear directly, like fourth to second for a curve, you have to go 4-3-2.
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