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[Andy B]

.... but selecting 2 or 3 in an Omega/Granada doesn't select the gears, it simply stops it from changing above the gear chosen. ...

That's still the case of the 7 speeder on my Merc, except it's done via a rocker switch on the back of the steering wheel 

[Vamps]

.... but selecting 2 or 3 in an Omega/Granada doesn't select the gears, it simply stops it from changing above the gear chosen. ...

That's still the case of the 7 speeder on my Merc, except it's done via a rocker switch on the back of the steering wheel 

So, a semi auto then?.........

[Andy B]

.....
So, a semi auto then?.........

No. There are actually two of them, but both do the same, they just limit the max gear 

[05omegav6]

I think car and truck designers have approached the conundrum from opposite ends...

Car designers seem to be trying to build in a manual control input, whilst retaining a torque converter.

Whereas truck designers in looking to make trucks much easier to operate, they've taken their manual gearboxes, complete with clutch, and automated them. The benefit of this is that the gearbox can still be used as a manual, albeit without a clutch pedal. (iirc Scania still offer a (electronic) clutch pedal as an option on their automated manual boxes)

An obvious benefit to this is pulling away on snow, the idea being to pull away in the highest gear you can get away with. Easy in a manual, but with a car based autobox, you can politely suggest that the gearbox starts in third/fourth, but even in winter mode it will laugh at you and drop down to second, and by the time you've said 'stupid bloody gearbox' the car will have dug itself in

[Vamps]

.....
So, a semi auto then?.........

No. There are actually two of them, but both do the same, they just limit the max gear 

 

[Vamps]

I think car and truck designers have approached the conundrum from opposite ends...

Car designers seem to be trying to build in a manual control input, whilst retaining a torque converter.

Whereas truck designers in looking to make trucks much easier to operate, they've taken their manual gearboxes, complete with clutch, and automated them. The benefit of this is that the gearbox can still be used as a manual, albeit without a clutch pedal. (iirc Scania still offer a (electronic) clutch pedal as an option on their automated manual boxes)

An obvious benefit to this is pulling away on snow, the idea being to pull away in the highest gear you can get away with. Easy in a manual, but with a car based autobox, you can politely suggest that the gearbox starts in third/fourth, but even in winter mode it will laugh at you and drop down to second, and by the time you've said 'stupid bloody gearbox' the car will have dug itself in

Something similar was available on busses in the 70's and upwards, they had a tiny electronic gear selector, you could pre select a gear and would change up when you backed of the power as you would do with a full manual but change down like an auto.....

[Andy B]

I think car and truck designers have approached the conundrum from opposite ends...

Car designers seem to be trying to build in a manual control input, whilst retaining a torque converter.
 ....

I'd disagree. Loads of manufacturers are making automated manuals ie VW's DSG, Vauxhall's Easytronic, Smart cars use an automated manual, Volvo & Ford make one too ...... can't remember the names now though. They're better on fuel than a torque converter auto.

[Andy B]

....
Something similar was available on busses in the 70's and upwards, they had a tiny electronic gear selector,  ....

I remember those ...... as a passenger, not a driver. 

[Vamps]

I think car and truck designers have approached the conundrum from opposite ends...

Car designers seem to be trying to build in a manual control input, whilst retaining a torque converter.
 ....

I'd disagree. Loads of manufacturers are making automated manuals ie VW's DSG, Vauxhall's Easytronic, Smart cars use an automated manual, Volvo & Ford make one too ...... can't remember the names now though. They're better on fuel than a torque converter auto.

Citroen also do this, flappy paddles or auto mode with a manual box and electronic clutch / change noticeable difference is no 'creep' as in an auto and slight pause when pressing go from stationary - that gets a little getting used to, a bit like waiting for the turbo to come in on a diesel......

[Vamps]

....
Something similar was available on busses in the 70's and upwards, they had a tiny electronic gear selector,  ....

I remember those ...... as a passenger, not a driver. 

Both for me......

[05omegav6]

Fair dos Perhaps the commercial designers were forced to go down that route by virtue of torque converters not being able to reliably tolerate the loads being imposed, and car mnanufacturers haved just cottoned on to the benefits

Are any of the car systems reliably any good though

[Vamps]

Fair dos Perhaps the commercial designers were forced to go down that route by virtue of torque converters not being able to reliably tolerate the loads being imposed, and car mnanufacturers haved just cottoned on to the benefits

Are any of the car systems reliably any good though

I had a new Citroen Grande Picasso 7 seater for 3.5 years, did 45k miles without a fault 99.9% of the time driven in auto mode without a problem but that was a new car, how the will be with 70 or more thousand miles I don't know, in part, a reason why I still don't have it or another.......I loved that car........