The new Challenger

[DCXCV]

http://editorial.autos.msn.com/article.aspx?cp-documentid=483319
"Directing the power to the rear wheels is a five-speed automatic with AutoStick, which allows the driver to manually select a higher or lower gear, but is the only transmission available." 

Damnit, just because most people can't drive a manual tranny doesn't mean you shouldn't put it in a musclecar. 

[James.M]

I hate when they do that shit... what a waste, even if its not "Better" for racing doesn't make it any funner (ya thats right funner).

[junior varsity]

I don't like the limitations on transmissions, but i can see it being a cost savings. Still sucks.

But there are no true musclecars anymore. Relatively inexpensive cars making gobs of power? I can't think of one.

[jclin]

AutoStick? Lame. They think they're clever. I'd like to beat them with a solid steel teddy bear.

[Colbert] Manual or Automatic. Pick a side![\Colbert]

[somegirl]

I had to wait for 2 months to get a stick shift on my car (BMW 328i, came on the slow boat from Germany).  Totally worth it though.

[kutter]

Uh, just gonna throw this out there, several new cars, including the CTS-V are semi-auto too. Isn't that what that thing has or did I read it wrong?

Not that I care cuz I personally think that thing is fugly.

[sqweak]

cts-v and autostick are *not* semi-auto.  They're full auto.

It's confusing, but it's a pet peeve of mine as a gearhead. 

Tiptronic, AutoStick, pretty much anything not German, Italian, or listed below have traditional torque converting automatic slush boxes where they let you feel like you have some input in the gear choice.  They still steal power from the engine like a traditional automatic, and just suck.  IMNSHO opinion, the only one of these worth considering is later generations of the Tiptronic used in Audis & Porsches.  These are best thought of as "Manual Automatics".

Ferrari/Maserati (F1) and BMW (SMG) have/had full manual transmissions with computer control.  They could be kinda jerky, and have been or are being phased out.  At least in the case of the BMW it was literally the same as a stick, a 6MT could be converted to SMG or vice versa with the swapping of user interface & ECU.  These can be considered "Automatic Manuals"

VW/Audi (DSG), Mitsubishi (EVO), Nissan (GT-R), BMW (New M3), Ferrari (F149/California), Porsche (PDK, coming soon to 911) and a few others are dual clutch transmissions.  They're computer control application of not one but two actual clutches that can also be fully automatic.  This is the way the industry is going.

On to the Challenger.  It's based on the 300c which on turn is based on a generation (or 2?) old S class MB.  MB and (then named) Daimler Chrysler have long since stopped putting sticks in their cars, except in rare cases (Viper, SRT4, Ram SRT10 (viper based)).  The Viper is being killed and the SRT series (save Ram/Viper/SRT4) have long been poseurs placing comfort over performance.

[DCXCV]

cts-v and autostick are *not* semi-auto.  They're full auto.

It's confusing, but it's a pet peeve of mine as a gearhead. 

Tiptronic, AutoStick, pretty much anything not German, Italian, or listed below have traditional torque converting automatic slush boxes where they let you feel like you have some input in the gear choice.  They still steal power from the engine like a traditional automatic, and just suck.

That's what I've always thought about those trannies.  The shifting isn't positive like with a manual clutch.  There's still lag.

I just can't think of a performance vehicle and an auto tranny and have it all make sense in my tiny brain.

I had to wait for 2 months to get a stick shift on my car (BMW 328i, came on the slow boat from Germany).  Totally worth it though.

Once again, living up to your screen name.

[Popeye the Sailor]

I was considering buying one until I found out it's automatic only.



I'm now debating going down to the dealer, saying "sell me a new challenger" and running through the list of options I want, naming "manual transmission" last. When they mention it's not available, I'll look at them in disgust, swear, then up and leave.

[aaronb]

cts-v and autostick are *not* semi-auto.  They're full auto.

it's CVT, CTS-V is fast caddy (with a 6-speed)

and yes, those tranny's suck.  half the work of a stick, 90% of the suck of an auto.  i test drove a g37(fiance's dad may get one soon) on friday with paddle shifter auto and it sucked, such a let down. (i never expected the auto to be good, but a manual would have made the car awesome.  we didn't test drive one of them )  i flipped them a few times then just put it in drive. 


3 pedals FTW!

[aaronb]

oh, and the faux carbon hood on the challenger   


WTF were they thinking?

[ROBsS4R]

I was considering buying one until I found out it's automatic only.

Ditto

It just does not feel like driving with out a manual transmission 

I guess it's Bumblebee for me then 

[TCK!]

I'm going to buy one and do burn outs with my automatic transmission in front of all of your houses.

[Doc]

You can live with it.  i have a slapstick 3 speed in my '71 Challenger convertible and never got pissed off enough to want to sell it.  I can't wait to test the new beast.

[aaronb]

I'm going to buy one and do burn outs with my automatic transmission in front of all of your houses.

so how will burn outs be with a brake-lock diff?  will the acrid smell of burnt pads overwhelm the sweet smell of burnt rubber?  or will it just be a one wheeled wonder?