http://www.edmunds.com/insideline/do/News/articleId=123068

I believe Pontiac has pretty much had the same story all along. The 6 speed manual will be late to the party.

The only thing that hasn't been clearly defined is how late; a few months or next model year. I guess we are still waiting.

Chip

Perhaps they are waiting to put it in a GXP.

Well, look at it this way. Pontiac wants this car to compete with the Charger, which isn't even offered with a Manual.

Also, Edmunds states that the V6 will get the 6speed auto which is incorrect.

Also, Edmunds states that the V6 will get the 6speed auto which is incorrect.

Yea, I've come to trust Edmunds about as far as I can throw them.

I cant drive a manual anyway. Why is a manual so important? I guess its one of those things you have to experience first hand. I get stuck in traffic twice a day in Houston so a manual isnt crossing my mind.

Also, keep your pants on, guys. It will be available late summer/early fall 2008 with a manual.

Also, keep your pants on, guys. It will be available late summer/early fall 2008 with a manual.

Just the guys, where are the girls, anyway? :search:

... likely the ONLY way the monthly publications will ever test the automatic version -
that I would buy, if I buy a G8 GT -
is if ** ONLY ** an automatic is available at launch.......

Will Pontiac dealers be taking orders later on or will they have to pick from the barrel on the M6s?

What allotment of M6s is Holden planning on producing? Or will all people that want a manual be able to get one?

I cant drive a manual anyway. Why is a manual so important? I guess its one of those things you have to experience first hand. I get stuck in traffic twice a day in Houston so a manual isnt crossing my mind.

For the pure driving enthusiast.

Traffic is one of the big reasons I want a stick. I currently drive an S2000 but for this Thanksgiving weekend I spent 800 miles switching between 4 different automatics: Corolla S, Altima S, Accord SE V6, and Grand Marquis, they were all pretty bad in traffic. They couldn't decide between 1st and 2nd. I would coast down to 2nd but the moment I touched the gas the cars would downshift to 1st and leap forward, even with a small tap. The most predictable was the Grand Marquis only because it had less gears to choose from. With my S2000 I know exactly what gear I am in and what the car will do. If the G8 doesn't come with a manual I will look at the GTO, CTS-V, or Audi S4. GM you already build it, but if you bring it over the buyers will come.

Traffic is one of the big reasons I want a stick. I currently drive an S2000 but for this Thanksgiving weekend I spent 800 miles switching between 4 different automatics: Corolla S, Altima S, Accord SE V6, and Grand Marquis, they were all pretty bad in traffic. They couldn't decide between 1st and 2nd. I would coast down to 2nd but the moment I touched the gas the cars would downshift to 1st and leap forward, even with a small tap. The most predictable was the Grand Marquis only because it had less gears to choose from. With my S2000 I know exactly what gear I am in and what the car will do. If the G8 doesn't come with a manual I will look at the GTO, CTS-V, or Audi S4. GM you already build it, but if you bring it over the buyers will come.

The 1-2 shift is a common problem on my TBSS, Vector has a nice tune available, that not only fixes that shift problem, but adds quite a bit of HP across the entire range. I suggest getting the tune and enjoying an auto in traffic...

Traffic is one of the big reasons I want a stick. I currently drive an S2000 but for this Thanksgiving weekend I spent 800 miles switching between 4 different automatics: Corolla S, Altima S, Accord SE V6, and Grand Marquis, they were all pretty bad in traffic. They couldn't decide between 1st and 2nd. I would coast down to 2nd but the moment I touched the gas the cars would downshift to 1st and leap forward, even with a small tap. The most predictable was the Grand Marquis only because it had less gears to choose from. With my S2000 I know exactly what gear I am in and what the car will do. If the G8 doesn't come with a manual I will look at the GTO, CTS-V, or Audi S4. GM you already build it, but if you bring it over the buyers will come.

Interesting.

Traffic is one reason that I would ** ONLY ** consider an automatic.

In fact, I waited until the Corvette was available with a reasonably modern six-speed automatic, with manumatic functionality, before I ‘took the plunge’ & placed my order.

But have you driven an automatic with manumatic – via either the trans. lever or paddles? Although the trans. in my ‘Vette will certainly function in ‘fully automatic’ mode, I almost always shift via the paddles – partly due to exactly the situations you describe.

And I’d be pretty amazed if GM will produce a manual behind the 360\390 HP\TQ V8 that can even approach the light action of the trans or clutch that your S2000 offers.

- Ray
Could be wrong, but . . .

Actually in the particular situation I referenced at about 8-10 mph on 95 I would be coasting and just barely touch the gas to keep up with traffic. BAM downshift to first and you are nearly in the backseat of the car in front of you before the car realized you weren't trying to set a land speed record. It was just annoying, I bet you guys are right though. Manumatics of any variety would let me stay in second, but sadly all my experience with the manumatics and automanuals are on closed courses trying for lap times. Not in real world situations.

Ray, I would also be amazed if GM could match the feel of my S2k shifter, but I am not counting on it. It would be nice though. On the flip side, if Honda tried to put an automatic behind the torque deprived S2000 I would be in first gear all the time. I look forward to having a car with some oomph below 6000 revs, but I still would want a stick.

It's obvious that not everyone can drive a stick, but I thought everyone could drive an auto...

I do understand a preference for a ‘stick’. I typically drive 20 to 30 minutes each afternoon in very heavy, bumper to bumper traffic, moving at 0 – 5 – 0 – 15 – 0 . [ sigh ] And my bursitis means that a manual \ clutch trans. would be impossible for me to deal with, anyway – even if I preferred.

The 6L80 transmission in the G8 ( versions now also used in my ‘Vette, the V8 Caddy STS, a couple of large GM SUVs and likely to proliferate further as additional production capacity comes on line ) has a few attributes I see as attempts to make automatics palatable to those who prefer manual transmissions in their vehicles.

(( No, I am not trying to convince anyone that an automatic is preferable ** FOR THEM ** !! ))

That 4.6L V8 Caddy STS with a version of this six speed for 2007 now achieves a 27 MPG EPA highway rating. ( 2006 was 17 \ 26. ) Again, in a world where the 6 CYL Honda with automatic posts 29 ( and the current Honda 6 CYL with 6 speed manual posts 30 ), this seems to me to be “not too bad” for a 300+ HP, 4DR Sport Sedan – one weighing a lot more than the Honda. [[ And I wonder if the new CTS-v will be available with this automatic trans. when that version is released. ]]

1 – The very wide ratio spread between first and sixth allows both a “ye – HAW !!” first gear and a very ‘tall’ sixth gear – for very low RPM ( reasonable fuel economy ) highway cruising. Without any gaping chasms between the gears – as can happen with a wide ratio 4 or 5 speed automatic. The gear spacing here is such that RPM drop at shifts is easily manageable.

2 – The TCC lockup ( mechanically and \ or electronic algorithmically?? ) is much more aggressive than I have previously experienced. Under many conditions, for me, this is a positive – or at least not a negative.

Specifically, this means at least 2 things:
Thing 1 is that the TCC lockup allows less slip – and thus less HP \ TQ converted into heat and more directly driving the wheels. Equals better fuel efficiency.

Thing 2-A is that the TCC lockup provides a more manual trans. feel to the acceleration process.
And 2-B is that there is significant engine braking apparent off throttle in any gear – essentially none ( or very little ) of the ‘free wheeling’ effect that some object to.

In the traffic I mentioned, I actually am in third gear in my Corvette much of the time. When I can manage over 10 MPH, and it appears likely that I can for some time, I let it ( essentially ) idle along in third. Most of the rest of the time I am in second.

2-B above comes into play in second, as abruptly backing off the throttle initiates a measure of engine braking – before I need to ( or can ) move my right foot across to touch the brake.

But it does still seem that a manual trans. will be available in the G8 GT – just “not for a while”. Whatever that turns out to mean.

- Ray
Manumatic addicted – as well as Torque addicted ( seeking a 12 step program )

I thought everyone could drive automatics too. But the Corolla was the worst, an automatic with torque isn't so bad. They don't need the gear ratio advantage in order to roll up from 5-20mph nearly as much as the anemic Toyota 4 banger. But even the V6 Accord had the same issue. I wasn't carrying alot of weight so I really have a difficult time justifying why the electronics weren't "smart" enough. I guess I am the only guy in the world who can't figure out the "cheap" automatics. :)

They are doing amazing things with "automatics" nowadays though. My favorite is the VW DSG, fastest shift times and still has a full auto feature that is supposed to be decent on the street, unlike the Ferrari/Lamborghini/Aston Martin systems. The ones I am interested in now are the 8 speed in the upcoming LS-F Lexus and the Mercedes 7Gtronic. The Lexus locks up the torque converter after first gear in the sports modes. This gives you the ability to brake using the gearbox or at least keep the chassis settled for hard braking. Automatics have the ability to shift fast they are just often tuned for smoothness, the Lexus 8 speed is going to be cool. I believe the Mercedes torque converter in the 7Gtronic is the same way (found in the AMG models). When I look into my crystal ball I don't see there being any problems with the autobox in the G8. Australia wouldn't stand for it :aus_flag:

Automatics can be cool, but the budget ones seem to have there fair share of problems.