Manual All The Things
In a world where cars equipped with automatic transmissions are now faster and more efficient than their manual transmission counterparts, three-pedal advocates like myself are running out of arguments.
Even I’ll admit that certain cars are better with automatic transmissions. I don’t want to manually shift a Volvo XC90, for example (such an option existed in Europe, of course); the enjoyment I derive from driving a Volvo has nothing to do with shifting.
To me, the fun of driving a manual transmission is banging through the gears: the satisfaction of each upshift or the excitement of each rev-matched downshift. Plus, as an unintended bonus consequence, these days people seem to be impressed if you can even drive a manual transmission at all.
This is where the Cayenne GTS comes in and throws me for a loop. I’m still shaken by the bizarre feeling of heel-toeing a 4,900lb beast. The Cayenne has always been a vehicle that says, “You shouldn’t be able to do this!” and to that end, the manual transmission really adds to the experience. It revs like a 1.6L Miata–eager in any gear, but it really only pulls over 4,000 RPM. Yet it has so much low end torque that you can easily start in second gear around town. When compared to the sluggish automatic of this generation Cayenne, it presents a compelling argument for itself.
However, while the current generation Cayenne can be special-ordered with a manual transmission, I don’t really see why you would. The new automatic is smooth, quick, and just as fun on a twisty road. It’s definitely a unique experience to drive a three-pedal SUV, but with paddle shifting and rev-matching I think we’ve come to a point where a great automatic is just as enjoyable as a great manual. No excuses are needed anymore; some cars are just better with automatics.
Oops!
Slow in, fast out. That’s what they say. Better than the alternative, which is something like “Fast in, out backwards.”
Came with Fives
Not sure what’s going on here, but I thought it was an interesting scene.
Miscellaneous Debris
What have I been up to for the past few months? Certainly not updating this site, anyway.
Well…I’ve been shooting for the “Meritor ChampTruck World Series”. That’s been fun.
Traveling with a series means I get to see some really interesting stuff from all ends of the automotive enthusiast spectrum.
However, from slammed big rigs to a Miata wearing a Datsun wagon body, one thing is evident.
Everybody wants to be low.
Well, sometimes you want to get up high.
Anyway, I’ve been spending a lot of time with this thing–the new XC90. I’m not really happy with the shots I’ve taken so far but I have the car at hand now so it’s just a matter of actually taking it out and shooting it. (I know, that last bit sounds really bad taken out of context. Photographers got stuck with a lousy verb for the act of creating our craft)
I had the chance to shoot a very cool Miata in a very stinky town.
But mainly, I’ve just been shooting this sort of exotica and getting extremely desensitized in the process.
I also shoot a lot of new and used Volvos. Check this combo out. When was the last time you saw a Power Blue/Beechwood S60 with Sport Package and piano black trim? There’s a good chance you haven’t. And an even higher chance that it would be hard for you to care less about Volvo color combos and option packages.
But around here, I just post whatever interests me, which could be anything, really.
The next post should be about the latest changes that have come to the Oregon Trail 993. Stay tuned.
Star Road 