Buying a car with an automatic gearbox is a popular thing in Britain and there’s more than one type which is used with current cars. But are there any which particularly stand out?
Skoda Fabia – One Of The Best Automatic Gearbox In The World The features embedded in this car is one of the best in the world, and though it is not a very popular car, it is said to be well managed by people of high ranks and fat accounts. This car owns a DSG automatic gearbox which is the third best in the world today. The modern automatic transmission got its start in 1934, when REO—a Lansing, Michigan, automobile and truck manufacturer—developed the Self-Shifter. A clutch pedal was required for shifting into forward or reverse, but not for shifting between forward gears. This was a “nearly-there” effort about which automotive historians generally.
The best automatic gearboxes are those that can make gear changes feel seamless, giving the driver a smooth and more enjoyable driving experience with minimal interruption.
Most automatic gearboxes do a solid job in most driving situations, but some options stand out more than others in the current market. So, here’s our top five picks of the best automatic gearboxes used in new cars at the moment.
Volvo R DESIGN Nav 5dr Geartronic Commonly known as a torque converter automatic, this is the automatic gearbox that was nearly in every car until recently. Instead of a clutch, this type of gearbox uses hydraulic fluid or a torque converter to transmit the power from the engine into the gearbox and change the gears. MINI 5-door hatch. Starting from £19,980. The country has been in love with the Mini for decades. Not only is this an automatic motorcycle, but it is also an electric powered bike. So, are we talking the best of both worlds type of performance? Despite the fact that we are dealing with an automatic transmission and electric power, this bike is the most performance-oriented electric powered bike on the market.
Our top 5 automatic gearboxes
Volkswagen DSG
The direct-shift gearbox (DSG) from Volkswagen is a dual-clutch system available in six-speed and seven-speed forms and it’s a high-quality gearbox indeed.
Even better, it is available not only with virtually all current Volkswagens but also many cars from other brands which VW owns. That means you can get DSG on cars from both the SEAT and Skoda ranges.
Delivering silky and responsive shifts when in automatic mode, the DSG can shift ratios manually with either a lever or steering wheel-mounted paddles if the driver prefers.
ZF 8HP
Quite a few brands nowadays make use of a highly-rated eight-speed automatic gearbox called the ZF 8HP. It’s built by ZF Friedrichshafen and is currently available as an optional or standard transmission for current cars from the likes of Alfa Romeo, Aston Martin, Jaguar, Land Rover and Maserati.
While it’s not quite as hi-tech as dual-clutch systems, the ZF eight-speed auto ‘box is a smooth and quick-responding unit that can combine beautifully with a range of engines from modestly-powered diesels to high-performance V8s.
Mercedes 9G-Tronic
The range of automatic gearboxes currently utilised by Mercedes-Benz includes its seriously impressive 9G-tronic. It represents the first nine-speed transmission to be released by a major manufacturer.
Its ground-breaking mechanics not only allow it to deliver engine power incredibly effectively on low or high speed roads, it’s also one of the most fuel-efficient transmissions among premium brands.
Porsche PDK
The seven-speed Porsche PDK is a dual-clutch automatic gearbox which shares quite a few components with the Volkswagen DSG. So, are they just alike then? Well, not quite.
While the DSG is set-up to suit a variety of different driving situations, mostly more casual everyday trips, the PDK is tuned to favour the driver-focused characteristics which Porsches are famous for.
While it’s much debated whether Porsche’s sports cars suit a manual or automatic ‘box, one thing for sure is that the PDK delivers seamless shifts in the automatic setting and rapid-fir changes when you take manual control. The launch control system available with PDK is also a delight for driving enthusiasts.
Subaru Lineartronic
Continuously Variable Transmissions (CVTs) are capable of delivering very easy, rapid-fire gear changes which allows the unit to strike a fine balance between performance and efficicency.
The Subaru CVT known as Lineartronic is a fine example of this type of automatic gearbox and is used in the vast majority of the Japanese manufacturer’s cars, as either a standard or optional feature.
A six-speed gearbox unit, the Lineartronic allows drivers to switch to a manual mode and control gear changes with either a small lever or steering wheel-mounted paddles.
For more wisdom on automatic gearboxes, you can check out links to the relevant guides below:
For the motorcycle enthusiast who considers themselves a purest at heart, like myself. The idea of an automatic transmission on a motorcycle is almost sacrilegious. Most bike riders even view cruisers as have certain elements of sports performance. There is simply something to be said for having the ability to shift the gears manually and control speed and breakdown. While I am a purist through and through, I understand that there are some people who don’t want to go through the trouble of shifting gears. When are riding, especially in stop and start conditions, there can be a lot of up-shifting and down-shifting. Having an automatic motorcycle eliminates the hassle.
The automatic motorcycle refers to a bike that does not require levers to be pulled and gears to be shifted manually. In these days, all of these is done by an onboard computer that senses when the gears need to be changed upward or downward. There are a wide variety of automatic motorcycles on the market, but there are no all created equally. This article will present the top automatic motorcycles on the market that cannot be classified as scooters.
Honda NC00X DCT
You will never confuse this gorgeous machine with a scooter. Contrary to popular opinion. There are some automatic motorcycles out there that have a lot of power, and this is one of them. In fact, this bike as fared well in drag races against more conventional bikes in controlled environments. With this bike, you can switch between going fully automatic or semi-automatic in which you have to shift the gears. Either way, there is no manual clutch involved.
Honda CTX700 DCT
The CTX700 is more of a touring design that is built for comfort over longer rides. The touring style fairing is optional on this bike. According to the reviews, this is actually one of the most relaxed tourers on the market currently. The ride comfort conjoined with the automatic transmission makes for a very easy ride without any hassle associated with conventional bikes.
The Aprilia Mana 850
I have to say that I am surprised to see Aprilia throw their hat into the automatic motorcycle ring. Aprilia is known for their sports bikes and high-speed performance. This is a good bike to break away from Honda for a while, but we are done with Honda just yet. This bike uses CVT (continuously variable transmission. There is not enough room to explain the difference between CVT and DCT, but enthusiast make a huge deal about it.
Honda VFR1200X DCT
This is a touring bike that is built for an entirely different type of rider. This bike can make you feel right at home in the dirt, but it translates to the street seamlessly. This makes this bike one of the most versatile automatic bikes on the market. This is an idea for the adventure sports enthusiast.
Honda NM4 Vultus DCT
Well, if you just have to go automatic, this bike right here makes it all justifiable. The bike is so unique that is virtually impossible to place it in a classification. It is in a world all its own. The sleek design makes it stand out. And, pushing 670ccs means that it has enough power to get you where you want to go. The ride is far from sluggish.
Energica Ego
Not only is this an automatic motorcycle, but it is also an electric powered bike. So, are we talking the best of both worlds type of performance? Despite the fact that we are dealing with an automatic transmission and electric power, this bike is the most performance-oriented electric powered bike on the market. You can push the bike to the limits while reducing your carbon footprint.
Zero SR
Just in case you are looking for something that is not so aggressive, but still has the look and feel of a conventional bike, the Zero SR is the ideal bike for you. This bike is not going to take any prizes in the area of performance, but it has a very nice look and it is easy on the bank account.
Evoke Urban S
The evoke is another automatic motorcycle that is electrically powered. Just in case you are not aware. The technology for electrically powered bikes is still emerging, so that means that these bikes are not cheap. As time progresses, the prices will slowly decline. This one electrically powered bike that is reasonably priced, coming in at under $10k.
KTM Freeride-E
Best Automatic Gearbox
Now, this bike is not ideal for the street. It is designed for offroad entertainment. Prepare to go offroad and leave all of the hassles of gear shifting behind. There is no kickstart, no clutch, and no gears. This is great for a novice rider who wants to enjoy the fun without learning all of the mechanics of riding.
Best Automatic Gearbox Oil
Brutus V9
Best Automatic Gearbox Type
If you are looking for an automatic motorcycle that completely breaks the mold of what you have seen thus far, then the Brutus V9 is the bike for you. The electric cruiser has done a complete 180, completely rejecting the stereotype of what an automatic bike looks like. It is beautiful and graceful. If that is what you are looking for.