so why doesnt the GT350 come with.....

[DrumReaper]

Those buying Corvette automatics aren't doing it to be the fastest on the track... but the breakdown has been(according to a Super Chevy article in 2014) 70% auto vs 30% manual in models which both were offered, through 2013. That's rather telling.

Most likely old fogeys with bum knees and cataracts.:lol:

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[Spa2k]

Most likely old fogeys with bum knees and cataracts.:lol:

And gold chains that keep getting caught on the shifter...

 

[Process]

Does Ford even have a DCT transmission in a car yet (minus the DCT in the Focus)? Maybe thats why it hasn't been offered because they don't have one available.

Could also have something to do with keeping the costs down and they couldn't find an off the shelf DCT to put in without costing too much. Also it seems like the Ford Performance team was going to all out performance and with the costs and extended development time needed, they deemed a DCT wasn't feasible. Look at the new Z06, Tadge said that he recommends the manual if you want to be serious about tracking the car.

They have the Tremec 9007 found in the 2017 Ford GT.

 

[10splaya22]

They have the Tremec 9007 found in the 2017 Ford GT.

That probably hasn't been around long enough as the GT350 development started years ago. Also I have no idea what that costs but if they are putting it in the GT i doubt it would be feasible in the GT350.

 

[sutlificent]

My money is on conventional automatic before they throw in DCT to the Mustang. Packaging and weight can be an issue with DCTs, so you may be looking at next gen if you're waiting for that type of transmission.

I'm betting either an 8-speed or the 10-speed if they ditch the current 6AT

 

[-=Hot|Ice=-]

I just want Ford to bring out an Adaptive LED lighting Package.

 

[Process]

My money is on conventional automatic before they throw in DCT to the Mustang. Packaging and weight can be an issue with DCTs, so you may be looking at next gen if you're waiting for that type of transmission.

I'm betting either an 8-speed or the 10-speed if they ditch the current 6AT

There's been a lot of rumor of the halo mustang being turbocharged and a dct.

 

[Mystic_Cobra]

Does Ford even have a DCT transmission in a car yet (minus the DCT in the Focus)? Maybe thats why it hasn't been offered because they don't have one available.

Could also have something to do with keeping the costs down and they couldn't find an off the shelf DCT to put in without costing too much. Also it seems like the Ford Performance team was going to all out performance and with the costs and extended development time needed, they deemed a DCT wasn't feasible. Look at the new Z06, Tadge said that he recommends the manual if you want to be serious about tracking the car.

They didn't have a FPC 8200 RPM V8 until 6 months ago. What's another transmission to a company like Ford?

 

[Rob WH]

There are some here who clearly think the manual is all that should be offered in GT350 simply because autos are no fun or because they dislike manuals for whatever reason. That's not what the OP was about. It's about the merits, not just the fun factor. If you think I'm arguing against a manual... you are dead wrong. I'm simply arguing for an automatic option.

The 991 GT3 can do this. You pull back both paddles at the same time.

Hmm... didn't know about that! Thanks. Of course, I'm never going to be in the market for a Porsche, but an M ... perhaps.

I'm guessing Ford's market research indicates otherwise. :shrug:

Not at all likely. Ford, like every other person who remotely studies automobiles, knows w/o question that more automatics are called for than manuals(in America, anyway). Ford sells far more vehicles w/ autos and without question, knows they'd sell more GT350's if one were offered. That said, perhaps they simply don't want to sell more. That was a given reason (among many, including cost) prior to the 2007 GT500, since 1993.

Yeah I think Camaros sell more automatics than manuals too and by far. To me that means the people who buy them are more about image. For quarter mile racers the automatic makes sense, but most of the people buying those automatics do it so they can hold onto their Big Gulp while driving. They aren't buying the automatic because they think it's fun.

You're making my point. The reality is, the biggest auto manufacturers are about building and selling products, not catering to a single small group. They don't need to care why most people want an auto, only that they do want an auto. This leads back to, perhaps Ford would rather sell fewer.

Again, this isn't about "fun" or my personal likes (or yours). The initial question put forth simply wondered WHY there was no auto in the upcoming GT350, not who thinks it would be fun. Personally, for "fun" itself, I prefer the manual too, but I can no longer drive one all the time and so, I won't buy one.

Obviously some highly paid people at Ford disagree with you. Maybe you should re-examine your logic here.

Wrong. They know more of us want an auto. There's a reason they aren't using an auto, but it's NOTHING to do with the main customer wants insofar as transmissions. More than likely, they don't trust just any auto to truly hold up against the abuse, but they'll never admit that. It's also very expensive for the DCT which I'm sure they think would hold up.

Does Ford even have a DCT transmission in a car yet (minus the DCT in the Focus)? Maybe thats why it hasn't been offered because they don't have one available.

A company with the pockets Ford has... always has the ability to get a great DCT and they have one. I've said before, it's surely expensive. Still, we know it exists.

Could also have something to do with keeping the costs down and they couldn't find an off the shelf DCT to put in without costing too much. Also it seems like the Ford Performance team was going to all out performance and with the costs and extended development time needed, they deemed a DCT wasn't feasible. Look at the new Z06, Tadge said that he recommends the manual if you want to be serious about tracking the car.

Costs... certainly.

Tadge doesn't recommend the auto because it needs more heat removal and the car runs way too hot, thanks to the supercharger. By the same token, they're not totally impressed with their own A8 in endurance performance just yet. It needs something and, truth be told, they'll find out what fairly soon.

Most likely old fogeys with bum knees and cataracts.:lol:

:gossip: Or people who've lost a leg in some wonderful place like Afghanistan.

My money is on conventional automatic before they throw in DCT to the Mustang. Packaging and weight can be an issue with DCTs, so you may be looking at next gen if you're waiting for that type of transmission.

I'm betting either an 8-speed or the 10-speed if they ditch the current 6AT

I basically agree here, like it or not. I see a 10spd option coming... in the Mustang GT and below, anyway.

They didn't have a FPC 8200 RPM V8 until 6 months ago. What's another transmission to a company like Ford?

Excellent point.

The next GT didn't get started till late 2013, eh...

 

[sutlificent]

They didn't have a FPC 8200 RPM V8 until 6 months ago. What's another transmission to a company like Ford?

Touché my friend

 

[Hughespj47]

See my initial post and post 52 and I think it will be clear, I'm hardly confused.

F1 transmissions are not far more manual than auto... that's just an absurd thought on its face. They are automatically controlled. If it has no clutch pedal, it's not a manual. Grimace covered this correctly.

Those buying Corvette automatics aren't doing it to be the fastest on the track... but the breakdown has been(according to a Super Chevy article in 2014) 70% auto vs 30% manual in models which both were offered, through 2013. That's rather telling.

We will never know how many sales Ford loses over this, just that they do lose sales and that should be something they actively work to prevent, period. After all, isn't it their stated goal to sell vehicles and make money? Yup. ;)

Many manual transmissions today come with rev-match... so...

Manuals weed out some of the wannabes? Guys like Michael Schumacher?

Again, manuals may be the preferred unit for anyone... why should those few people be the reason to remove the obvious choice of the majority? That's dumb.

After reading that... it's become totally clear... Automatics are definitely better.

Pros and cons added up, it really is obvious. For me, it's not about preference, but results.

Yet the tech package and if I read it correctly, even heated seats are available, not to mention A/C.

Ford did perfectly fine there. You can get it with bare bones or as most will prefer. That's exactly why having no automatic option is pointless.

F1 rules favor one transmission type over another. Schumacher didn't get much choice on that. He just drove what they gave him to victory. I'm also quite sure he could drive a manual better than I can.

Ford has stated production numbers for the Shelby of 5500 units/year. They will be able to sell all those manual transmission cars easily (and more if they want to). Since all of those cars get lousy mileage, they have to sell a lot of really fuel efficient cars to keep their CAFE high enough. That also limits production. As also mentioned, you don't mass produce a model marketed to provide exclusivity.

I am glad the manual is the only option. I would still get it even if I had to drive it in traffic. I did heavy commuter traffic in Los Angeles with my '65 289 4spd. No problem. And it didn't have a modern silky smooth hydraulic clutch.

My definition of a manual transmission car: 1. Has a clutch pedal that the driver uses to couple/decouple the engine and transmission. 2. Has a knob/handle that is directly connected to the shifter forks inside the transmission.

 

[10splaya22]

A company with the pockets Ford has... always has the ability to get a great DCT and they have one. I've said before, it's surely expensive. Still, we know it exists.

Thats what I was getting at. They don't have one available at the price point they need. If they take one from the 2017 GT I can't see that being economically feasible in the GT350 given its price. Also the GT transmission came out at the very end of 2013 so development time wouldn't have been very long either. In the future though I hope they at least have them as an option although I love manuals if I couldn't have that a DCT would be at the top of the list.

 

[Hack]

Wrong. They know more of us want an auto. There's a reason they aren't using an auto, but it's NOTHING to do with the main customer wants insofar as transmissions. More than likely, they don't trust just any auto to truly hold up against the abuse, but they'll never admit that. It's also very expensive for the DCT which I'm sure they think would hold up.

It's funny you say I'm wrong but then talk about something completely different than what I was saying.

Just repeating the same things over again still missing the points doesn't convince anyone. Hopefully you feel better getting all this off your chest, because that's about all you're doing.

 

[Grimace427]

They didn't have a FPC 8200 RPM V8 until 6 months ago. What's another transmission to a company like Ford?

So the Voodoo just appeared when they revealed the car? They didn't spend years developing the engine before it was revealed?

 

[cj428]

DCT transmission is two to three years out.

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