While my car is in the body shop this week, I have been experiencing the Mazda 6, I4, 5 speed Auto with the tap shift. I wasn;t really a fan of Mazda before this experience, but after driving it, and having fun with the TAP shift, I began to realize that this little 4 banger is actually FUN to drive!!!!! Which got me thinking, when, or should i say would, GM ever put TAP shift into other models. I know the GP currently has it, and I believe is the only model (although i would much rather have the TAP shift on the shifter instead of on the stearing wheel). I would think that this would add some fun and excitement to some cars for people who would want an auto, but likes the excitement of a manual.

I'm thinking the Malibu, Monte and maybe the Impala would be great option for these cars.

 

I heard VW is actively marketing their double clutch auto/manual transmission to other manufactures. It seems to have the best of booth worlds, shifting faster than a manual while acting like an auto for daily driving needs. Looks very promising.

 

THe new Malibu has Tap shift on the stick

 

G6 is supposed to have it too.

BTW... Anyone know anything concerning the pricing of the G6? I'm thinking about setting myself up to dump the Civic and get a G6 with a 3.9L and TapShift. It's really aggravating, you can't do a search for "G6" on the boards.

 

yep it's available on the Malibu as mentioned. Here is a pic of it

http://a332.g.akamai.net/f/332/936/1...4/023772-E.jpg

More

Edmunds link

 

The G6 will also have a six speed manual with the 3.9. I'd take that over the TAP shift (note that it was a tap-lever on the console, not the steering wheel, in the G6 shown at NAIAS) with a four speed auto. Now, when the 6 speed autos start to come out (you know, the "joint venure" with Ford that GM is "taking the development lead" on), I might consider an auto w/ manual shift. But as long as I have to give up a gear or two, I'll stick with a clutch pedal.

 

B4C you wouldn't know who supplies the 6 speed manual would you? I am just curious.

 

I read somewhere the 6 speed is euro based.... dunno where though. Isn't Getrag european? I find them in the local junkyard often... I think the 3 series BMW's use them(Piles upon piles of 3 series beemers in the junk yard)

Anyway... the reason I want the tapshift is so the wifey can still drive the car. I'd love the 6 speed, though it does suck that GM hasn't gotten the 5/6 speed autos out yet. Takes time I guess. In fact... the only reason I sold my last Z28 was because she's too short to drive one, and she can't drive a manual. In the end.. we ended up keeping the civic. Despite the odd fact that we pay much more insurance for the Civic than we did the Z...

 

I got to drive the new pacifica with the tap shift. When I tapped it into to second it nearly broke my neck The next gen camaro better have this, its a waste on a pacifica and malibu.

 

Tap Shift on a Comp G was fun when I had one for a day, but I have to wonder how much the tranny over time will appreciate this. Did GM do anything to the tranny to be able to handle this better? All I know is that manually shifting an AT was always a big no-no...

 

I know this is in other threads around but Holden is working on a 6 speed automatic transmission and the corvette team really wants to make a tap shift out of it but they said they'll only offer it if they can do it right. They don't want to make a gimicky version (I think they even quoted pontiacs gp on this.) Anyway bottom line is if the corvette team can make it act like a real race bread tap shift they'll make it. Which makes it possible options down the road on all ls2 cars.

 

Found a link,
six-speed DSG

Volkswagen's six-speed DSG owns Tap Shift. I'm really excited about this transmission. As I said, VW is looking to sell it, so maybe GM can get their hands on one. This may be the future of transmissions.

 

In addition to BorgWarner, I'd have to think that ZF will be entering the market soon with a dual-clutch semi-automatic manual transmission (AMT). Luk and Valeo have also been developing AMT systems, as they have a vested interest in keeping the friction clutch business alive.

Manually-shifted autos haven't done much for me. I'd much rather have an AMT or traditional manual in a sports car, and a well-calibrated auto elsewhere.

 

TapShift is much better on the steering wheel IMO. Thy did beef up the 4T65E, but apparently it is steel the cars achilles tendon. The 04 GP was slated for 300 HP but the tranny had durability issues. The PCM also is highly restrictive in the new GP and reportedly learns away some performance mods like shift kits. People on the GP message boards have been complaining alot.