Volvo’s first self-driving cars now being tested live on public roads in Sweden

Post by chiph » Tue, May 06, 2014, 10:00 PM UTC

refurb wrote: post #150

chiph wrote: post #59

Earlier quoted context omitted.

With draconian CAFE requirements coming (49 mpg average [1][2] for vehicles the size of a Honda Fit), manufacturers are really ramping up their efforts to be compliant. Automatic transmissions now can deliver 1-2 better mpg than a manual, plus sometimes faster shift times. You're also seeing a lot more CVT transmissions vs. conventional planetary gear ones these days because they typically deliver 2+ mpg better econo…

That's the first time I've heard of automatic transmissions giving better mileage than manuals. I always thought the drive train loses on an automatic transmission (mainly the torque converter) was the issue? Has that changed?

Post by sanoli » Wed, May 07, 2014, 11:01 PM UTC

31reasons wrote: post #70

simonebrunozzi wrote: post #58

Earlier quoted context omitted.

I've been talking about this for years with friends. I bet on Singapore. (I lived there 2.5 years and know the place a bit).

That will be interesting since Singapore hates car use. That shows in their incredibly high tax on cars. A typical car costs more than $100k. Since automated cars can reduce city cruising for parking space and increase car utilization they may actually welcome the automated cars and perhaps ban manual cars altogether.