These new auto gearboxes ... the ones that have 8 and 9 spds.

Do they accelerate through every single gear when getting up to speed? Do they not spend more time changing gear than being in a gear?

Or do they accelerate through 1,3,5,7 ( or 2,4,6,8 , or something similar ) and then once they are at a cruising speed, then select the most efficient gear to be in?

just curious V8 or else ...

This was one of the things I commented on when I drove a new 4.4TDV8 recently.

Being used to driving my 3.6TDV8 at the time - it seemed to me the newer gearbox was forever changing gear whilst driving along some familiar local roads - especially slowing to turn into a junction then accelerating away again - it didn't feel as smooth as my own car.

I dont have the slightest clue how these newer gearboxs work exactly with so many gears to manage but it felt like it was shifting up and down each gear in order - 1,2,3,4,5etc - but because this particular RR was very nearly brand spanking new with less than 200miles on clock - I might forgive it, as not having been 'run-in' at that particular time...

...and certainly wouldn't put me off wanting one

Gets into 8th gear by 40mph easy.

Will not really accelerate in 7 & 8. You can't tell when the car is changing gear now that it is run in - even when really pressing on the gearbox is extremely smooth. Almost, but not quite, up there in terms of smoothness with the Porsche's PDK.

I thought mine only had 1 gear it's so smooth

Seriously, if a new 4.4 TD you drive was changing noticably, I suspect there was something wrong cause I can't ever tell what gear mines is in unless I hit the flappy paddles & then it tells you on the dash.

The only time I'd say I can tell it's changed, is when you floor it & it changes down cause the revs go higher, but it really is smooth as a...........

MPH per 1000 rpm in 8th = 48.57

80 mph = 1647 rpm

My TD6 = 29.1
80 mph = 2749 rpm

In other words my top gear is about the same as an 8 speed in 4th gear.

Actually, it's one of the few things I don't like about my TD6, that the engine is trying so hard. But I dislike it less than I'd dislike the depreciation of a 2011 TDV8.

It runs through the gears 1,2,3,4 etc. when pulling away from a standing start it will very quickly get through the first 4 gears and then settle to a point where 5,6,7&8 are not noticeable when changing. It it effortless, cruising at 90mph at less than 2000rpm...it's not even awake. Use the flappy paddles across the rev range and you into a whole new driving experience and that's when you need the Brembo brakes!!!  Current MY2020
Gone: 1 x L405 and 2 x L322's

AMD wrote:

cruising at 90mph at less than 2000rpm

KurtVerbose wrote:

AMD wrote:

cruising at 90mph at less than 2000rpm

1853rpm to be precise.

Even better  Current MY2020
Gone: 1 x L405 and 2 x L322's

And thats why its that much more economical i guess

I do like the newer box's.
Even the ones in the Semi Skimmed(3.6 TDV8) and the D4 SDV6 are great as they lock up so quickly at low speeds and mean you can actually touch the throttle without it down changing and is good for cruising down to a stop as well

Pity a retrofit is not such an easy task