The well-heeled folks who buy supercars seem to have fallen out love with using their left legs. Ferrari has already axed the manual transmission after last years entire production run of prancing stallions only had two six-speeds sold now, chief competitor Lamborghini is also saying sayonara to the stick shift.
As a sort of last-hurrah, Lambo recently announced the decade-old Gallardo will come in a very basic manual transmission, rear-wheel-drive model. It has to be said that the Lamborghini manual transmission is traditionally a bit of a bear to operate, with a heavy clutch and lever-throws that feel like youre moving girders around. Or so Im told.
Thing is, Lamborghini has always been the wild man of Italy, as compared to the fastidious Formula-One-obsessed Ferrari. While I understand sales numbers clearly show that not many people were interested in a stick-shift Gallardo, and the performance figures show that dual-clutch auto-manuals are faster and more efficient, the loss of that iconic stainless-steel H-gate makes those of us who could never actually afford one just the tiniest bit sad.
Yes, cars are getting better but sometimes its the flaw in the gem that is the reason its valuable.
Diesel power wins grand-am
Want to know why gearheads are so excited about the new Mazda diesel engines? Look no further than the Mazda6 racecar, which took its first Grand-Am win at Road Atlanta.
Not just the first Grand-Am win for a diesel-powered car ever, its proof that diesel power fits in with Mazdas race-bred philosophy. Not that the companys any stranger to using unique drivetrains.
After all, Mazda championed their rotary-powered racecars to the only Japanese LeMans victories, and the RX-7 is still the winning-est model in IMSA racing.
Even if you dont give a hoot about automotive racing, the high-stress world of the tarmac circuit will allow engineers to further refine and improve Mazdas diesel power. Could we maybe see a Mazdaspeed Diesel in the near future? I hope so.
Smart move for Mercedes
Mercedes has elected to boost the chic appeal of their diminutive Smart city-car line with an actual production model of the Smart ForJeremy: a previous collaborative effort between style guru Jeremy Scott and Smart. The car features an all-white interior, but most prominently, the rear taillights have been replaced by a pair of wings.
Im no judge of fashion, but it looks like one of the Village People. Two electric engines and one 102 h.p. gasoline engine will be on offer.
