Look, a CVT semi-automatic probably would outperform me. I'm no master driver or whatever.
But a typical automatic transmission? Dude, I have a huge advantage as a human. I have eyes. I can see things the engine cannot.
It takes time for a internal combustion engine to rev up to its ideal torque band. The Ford Focus is a turbocharged engine, which means it only achieves maximum torque above 4000 RPM.
Since most automatic transmissions are tuned for fuel efficiency (ie: 2000RPM band or so), they will perform worse when you're trying to accelerate. The manual driver has the advantage that they can choose fuel efficiency (ie: 2000RPM most of the time), or in cases of emergency... kick it into (low) gear for very high RPM to maximize the torque band.
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ICE Engines are all about tradeoffs, and the manual driver can choose the RPM-band that best matches the situation.
Would a properly tuned automatic beat me in fuel economy? Probably.
Would a properly tuned automatic beat me in acceleration? Probably.
But no automtaic can be tuned to do both at the same time. Since high-Torque is high-RPM only... and fuel efficiency is low-RPM only... the computer cannot be tuned to try to do both at the same time.
But a typical automatic transmission? Dude, I have a huge advantage as a human. I have eyes. I can see things the engine cannot.
It takes time for a internal combustion engine to rev up to its ideal torque band. The Ford Focus is a turbocharged engine, which means it only achieves maximum torque above 4000 RPM.
Since most automatic transmissions are tuned for fuel efficiency (ie: 2000RPM band or so), they will perform worse when you're trying to accelerate. The manual driver has the advantage that they can choose fuel efficiency (ie: 2000RPM most of the time), or in cases of emergency... kick it into (low) gear for very high RPM to maximize the torque band.
-------------
ICE Engines are all about tradeoffs, and the manual driver can choose the RPM-band that best matches the situation.
Would a properly tuned automatic beat me in fuel economy? Probably.
Would a properly tuned automatic beat me in acceleration? Probably.
But no automtaic can be tuned to do both at the same time. Since high-Torque is high-RPM only... and fuel efficiency is low-RPM only... the computer cannot be tuned to try to do both at the same time.