FYI. Found this 2003 post on Motoring File:

http://www.motoringfile.com/2003/09/...eShifterReview

Aloha!

JCW04

 

When speaking of the Ferrari you are dealing with an SMG gearbox, a manual transmission with paddle shifting, not an automatic transmission. With a Cooper and CVT transmission, an automatic derivative and with the MCS an automatic with electronically switched gearing when in sport mode using the paddle shifters, not an SMG. With the MCS automatic in sport mode the transmission will hold the revs to the limit before shifting, allowing for a better 0-60 time then when in pure automatic mode.

 

plus, if you get an auto and take it to a track, theres no fun heel-toe shifting or anything like that, it's just tap the button and hit the next gear. but as a lot of people have said, it all depends on ur driving style. i really prefer the manual, it's entirely possible i'd be faster with the auto/steptronic but i like the manual more. it all comes down to what you want.

p.s. there are a rare few who are capable of shifting faster than a good SMG transmission. i followed a 360 Spyder F1 on a freeway entrance ramp and the shifts were like nothing i've ever heard. they were perfect, no pause between gears or anything, it sounded just like a F1 car shifting gears.

p.s.s. and for those wondering, that 360 was one of the only cars that ran away from me on this particular ramp