Virtual clutch

[MarkB]

I was just thinking if you could mount a spring loaded clutch pedal and somehow have it wired to the manumatic clutch control motor you could really drive the Smart like a manual. Does anyone think this would ever be possible?

I just read the Road & Track review of the Smart and they could not get over how horrible the manumatic was. They pointed out that the Smart would probably get better mileage if it wasn't for the poor shift points and bad downshifting behavior (i.e. you must floor it to downshift).

I thought maybe you could bypass computer control to clutch motor and run dummy clutch pedal through a potentiometer somehow. Seems simple enough.

[24-42]

[quote=MarkB;42278]
I just read the Road & Track review of the Smart and they could not get over how horrible the manumatic was. They pointed out that the Smart would probably get better mileage if it wasn't for the poor shift points and bad downshifting behavior (i.e. you must floor it to downshift).

QUOTE]

Whoever tells you that "You need to floor it to downshift", is full of 'Bullpucky'.
What you read in Road & Track speaks volumes of the knowledge of the writer.

Speed-shifting aside, you can shift as fast and as smooth as a car with a standard clutch.... Up or down.

I guarantee it !
Donald LaFavor

[lhoboy]

[quote=24-42;42281]

Originally Posted by MarkB

I just read the Road & Track review of the Smart and they could not get over how horrible the manumatic was. They pointed out that the Smart would probably get better mileage if it wasn't for the poor shift points and bad downshifting behavior (i.e. you must floor it to downshift).

QUOTE]

Whoever tells you that "You need to floor it to downshift", is full of 'Bullpucky'.
What you read in Road & Track speaks volumes of the knowledge of the writer.

Speed-shifting aside, you can shift as fast and as smooth as a car with a standard clutch.... Up or down.

I guarantee it !
Donald LaFavor

Donald,

On an apples to apples basis, you may be right. Given 40 years to master the manumatic, I may be able to learn to shift it as fast and as smoothly as I have a manual. (Guess what: I don't think I'll be around that long)

Lance

[kmeinhold]

Lets put Road and Track in my daily stop light and traffic ridden commute and see how much better they like a manual clutch.

[SmartAzz]

[quote=lhoboy;42286]

Originally Posted by 24-42

Donald,

On an apples to apples basis, you may be right. Given 40 years to master the manumatic, I may be able to learn to shift it as fast and as smoothly as I have a manual. (Guess what: I don't think I'll be around that long)

Lance

I * think* you may be exaggerating a bit Seriously though, I took a 20 minute test drive and was well on my way to smoothing it out, you just have to try (which most reviewers don't seem to want to bother with and rather just complain).

[4-2NV]

Originally Posted by kmeinhold

Lets put Road and Track in my daily stop light and traffic ridden commute and see how much better they like a manual clutch.

I agree. As much as I hate the way this manumatic clutch operates, in the morning commute, juggling coffee, muffin and shifter in the MINI Cooper was too much. Having the automatic option is a relief and later I get to shift with paddles and floor shifter. I am finding as I use the automatic mode, I can play footsie with the accelerator to smooth it out.

[Karl Roth]

My car learned how to shift smoothly all by itself in a few days no special driver skills required. Driving a regular manual is all about choice you make each and every one. leave this one in D and it makes them all for you and you don't need to floor it to get the box to downshift. Different it is but far from bad for me. prior to driving it I thought it would be all paddles to have fun and they are on occasion. Drove a Hyundai Accent last night with auto almost imperceptible shifts (you hear more than feel) made want to run out and join the Warning Blender Club...
karl

[4-2NV]

Originally Posted by Karl Roth

My car learned how to shift smoothly all by itself in a few days no special driver skills required. Driving a regular manual is all about choice you make each and every one. leave this one in D and it makes them all for you and you don't need to floor it to get the box to downshift. Different it is but far from bad for me. prior to driving it I thought it would be all paddles to have fun and they are on occasion. Drove a Hyundai Accent last night with auto almost imperceptible shifts (you hear more than feel) made want to run out and join the Warning Blender Club...
karl

I imagine this has been discussed before, but is there a clear reason why smart/MB chose to use a manumatic rather than a CVT or normal automatic? Cost, weight or size? Can't be just to be quirky.

[Smartdavis]

Originally Posted by 4-2NV

I agree. As much as I hate the way this manumatic clutch operates, in the morning commute, juggling coffee, muffin and shifter in the MINI Cooper was too much. Having the automatic option is a relief and later I get to shift with paddles and floor shifter. I am finding as I use the automatic mode, I can play footsie with the accelerator to smooth it out.

I totally agree. Having both options is what I really like about this transmission. Best of both worlds as far as I am concerned.

[Karl Roth]

Originally Posted by 4-2NV

I imagine this has been discussed before, but is there a clear reason why smart/MB chose to use a manumatic rather than a CVT or normal automatic? Cost, weight or size? Can't be just to be quirky.

CVT's work great in theory but don't live up to promise in the real world. Modern automatics are better than poorly driven manuals (who will admit to that) manumatics can be programmed to... oh boy this like it or not is the cutting edge of the state of technology. Is it the best one, not near as good as the one the F1 shoes get but then ours are a lot more affordable
this is the transmission smart sells all over the world. get over it
karl