Steptronic Vs Manual Questions

[Jellybelly]

An odd question about how manuals accelerate faster than automatics. I usually see that manuals are about .5-1 second faster. Now, when testing for acceleration speeds with automatics with Steptronic, do they use the "manual mode" or just leave the car in full automatic? How much faster would, say, a 325i manual accelerate against a 325i auto, but using the Steptronic?

[peterkulesza]

imho: won't make any difference, slushbox (steptronic) is always slower due to torque converter losses.

smg should be faster, unless your name is carlos sainz.

[TECH]

Steptronic is still an auto trans, it just lets you tell it when to shift.

The gear ratio's in auto's are generally broader from one to the other, so the engine isn't in the powerband as often as a closer ratio manual.

[yubyub]

The issue is 1) power loss due to the torque converter, and 2) shifting speed.

An SMG is essentially a manual, but is clutched by computer control ("drive by wire"). Unless you are a good driver, an SMG will be faster for you than a manual. If you really know how to drive, a manual will be faster. In all cases, an auto is slower - if only because the power at the wheels is decreased by the losses introduced by the torque converter.