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The
new sequential auto-adaptive gearbox marks a return to
semi-automatic
transmissions with the added benefit of fully automatic operation if
desired.
For
the benefit of those unfamiliar with either sequential or auto-adaptive
gearboxes, the auto-adaptive box is a fully automatic gearbox which
employs fuzzy logic to select one of a series of gearchange patterns
based on the driving style - if you are driving gently, the gearbox
will change up at low revs and will stay in as high a gear as
possible. Drive more assertively and it will stay in each gear
until
higher engine revs are reached and it will change down more
readily.
The gearbox computer analyses the driving style and selects an
appropriate program to effect the gear changes.
A
sequential box allows the driver to change gear manually either by
virtue of electronic paddles mounted near (or, in some cases, on) the
steering wheel or, as chosen by Citroën, by a U-shaped gate with
regular automatic selection on one side and an up/down selector on the
other. One paddle is used for up changes and another for down
changes. This permits all the control of a manual transmission
but
without the need for a clutch and also allows far more rapid changes
than can be done manually. The combination of auto-adaptive and
sequential changes is a world first.
This new gearbox
will be fitted to Évasion/Synergie initially and then rolled out to
other models.
I confess to
being puzzled as to why Évasion/Synergie
has been selected for this particular innovation - sales are poor and I
can't see this particular innovation boosting sales to any great extent
and to add to my confusion, Citroën has also decided to equip
Évasion/Synergie with a new 138 bhp 2.0i 16V engine which actually
returns better fuel consumption and lower CO2 emissions than the 8V
unit it replaces.
Sticking
with Évasion/Synergie, a new eight seat version will shortly be
available at the same price as the outgoing seven seat models and the
110 bhp HDi 2,0 litre engine is now available on base models.
Those
of us who had hoped for a restyle and hydropneumatic suspension on
Évasion/Synergie will be disappointed. Évasion/Synergie's styling is
probably its greatest drawback. Perhaps PSA could take a look at
the Lancia Zeta (essentially the
same vehicle) to see how it should be done.
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