Quote:
The Groom said:
Synchromesh, power steering, hydraulic brakes, e-Gas, ABS/ESP, PASM, all make you a passenger. Bring back the 1885 Benz!

All those innovations free your attention and let you focus on more important matters. Same goes for automated manual gearboxes.

What you call the epitome of a sports car, I call the epitome of an obsolete, soulless, painful econobox.



The term 'automated manual' appears oxymoronic.

The items of engineering advancement you list above apply more, in the main, to measures of improved safety than driving skill and technique.

I wouldn't mind the lack of synchromesh too much - I still have to double de-clutch and heel & toe with my '67 Lotus Elan. Factors still applicable to extracting maximum satisfaction from my 997S during spirited driving..

I also use Steptronic on my BMW 8-Series.

The point I was agreeing with and, of course, it's only my opinion, is that PURE INVOLVEMENT is only achievable with a manual box AND a clutch.