Saturn to me, "Thanks, but no thanks"

[CM94SL1]

I suggested that it would be a VERY cool thing for Saturn to make a "Sporty" version of the LS2 and include a transmission that could be shifted like a manual but be an automatic. Kind of like DaimlerChrysler's Auto-Stick and systems like other car companies have. The person who responded to my e-mail gave me the impression that my e-mail went into the (Don't Care) folder faster than fast. From what I have seen on the LS (Including driving one on a test drive and not wanting to give it back), that would be the cherry on top of an almost perfect car. Perhaps if enough of us suggest that Saturn hafe a shiftable automatic transmission, they might consider it. Of course that would mean that GM cars would have to have it too.

[bjs33]

you are right saturn will not make a sporty ls2 just like the sc2 will not keep up with its competition in speed. They will simply say they are not competing against thoses cars just like in 1991 the sl2 was competing against the accord and camrey then those cars got faster and bigger and the saturn started competing against the weaker model. If saturn does not put a stronger engine in the sc2 soon they better lower the price. that is why I bought a sl2 why pay more for weight loss and no more power. The spec said it was 8.5 sec 0-60 big deal. sedans do the same thing for similar money and I play with the vw cars and integra with my sl2 alot and pass them alot. besides I already own a real sports car with a v8. ok saturn you are not lossing business by not increasing power in the cars keep dreaming!

[HumpMan]

I put in a suggestion for a manu-matic a few years ago in a letter to Saturn, but it was part of a long list of comments, so I got no direct feedback on that point. It might have been in that same letter that I suggested they run the One Lap, though...

When I first heard of these things (it may have been the Porsche Tiptronic) I think the big sentiment was "horrors! a automatic in a Porsche". When Chrysler did their AutoStick years later with the Intrepid(?) the sentiment seemed to be "Cool, just like a Porsche".

But since then you don't really hear too much about them, IMHO. They seem to be just a feature that some cars have, and others don't. Some like 'em and others don't. European luxury cars seem to have 'em because they probably need to have an automatic, but they want to claim to be a sports car at the same time.

I agree it would be cool for Saturn to do something new (at least to them) like this. But I also don't think it will be at the top of their list. And I don't totally agree that if Saturn were to do this, that automatically all of GM would have it. I think it is still possible, although difficult, for Saturn to do some development on their own. But if they wanted to do this, they'd probably have a lot of convincing to do, with believable economic analyses.

In the LS2, would you rather see a manu-matic or a real 5 speed? I think one of these might be closer to the top of their list.

the HumpMan

[BobL]

Why not do it the real way with a 5 speed?

If I had the $$$ for an LS2, would really love stick. The LS/LS1 stick and clutch are really neat.

Let those who only want to pretend they love stick have a tiptronic.

The tiptronic is not a new idea. Back many many years ago, Chrysler and Packard had clutchless sticks. It didn't catch on.

Bob

[HumpMan]

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Why not do it the real way with a 5 speed?
If I had the $$$ for an LS2, would really love stick. The LS/LS1 stick and clutch are really neat.
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The LW2 stick and clutch is pretty neat too. <img src="http://www.saturnfans.com/cgi-bin/UltraBoard/Images/Happy.gif" border="0" align="middle">

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Let those who only want to pretend they love stick have a tiptronic.
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The manu-matic does, however, have the minor advantage of perhaps being a standard, or easily added part to the normal automatic, which will still be the biggest seller. And it has the cachet of being a "luxury" or high-end sports car feature. I don't know if the automatic transmissions used in the L-series (which I think are standard GM) would be easy to modify. The S-series automatic, which is known to be significantly electronically controlled, may be an easier candidate, and might even be kept exclusive to Saturn.

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The tiptronic is not a new idea. Back many many years ago, Chrysler and Packard had clutchless sticks. It didn't catch on.
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But did they have a button or levers to trigger up/down one gear shifts, or was it just an automatic with the ability to manually select some or all of the gears? Or are you talking about a real manual transmission that had a clutch that automatically engaged? I know VW had one of those, but never really knew how they worked.

the HumpMan