Just test drove an EB automatic - disappointed.

[289isfine]

I think the redline interior on ruby red just doesn't work.

Agree with that 100%.

Although, would look great with white, black, ingot or magnetic.

Perhaps OK with race red (though I wouldn't want that much red)

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[Trackaholic]

I also test drove an automatic EB (and I typically drive a stick).

I wrote about it somewhere on the site, so hopefully my recollections now are the same as they were last week when I wrote the review of my test drive.

My recollection is that I also found the transmission underwhelming. The primary issue is that the reaction to the paddles is pretty slow. So if you are D mode, and use a paddle, it takes some time before the car responds. It is therefore possible to be shifting manually at about the same time the car shifts automatically, which ends up creating a "double shift".

In S mode you are in complete control, so at least that's nice. You can bounce off the rev limited all you want. The car will downshift as you slow down in order to prevent lugging the engine and horrible acceleration. I think that is fair.

So, I found that if you are in D, it's tough to take advantage of the "manual override" because of the slow response. If you are in S, at least you know the car won't be shifting as well, so you are less likely to get in the wrong gear.

Personally, I'd get the stick shift.

-T

 

[xtrmnop]

I test drove an EB Auto a few weeks back and I was very impressed. Quite a little peppy engine and yeah you need to put it in the S mode if you want to mimic a manual as close as possible. I really wanted to test drive an EB manual but this was as close as I can get. So I think the EB is great route if GT is too much. I think it's a great compromise between power and economy. Now only if I can get a EB Premium without leather seats I will be sold. Maybe in 2016 they will have that option.

 

[veeATE]

Simple Solution: don't buy an automatic.

 

[Old 5 Oh]

If you leave the trans in D, it's pretty much a classic Ford automatic. Smooth, relaxed, and heading for the highest practical gear. There's a time and a place for that, like slow urban traffic or date night with the wife.

Simply placing the trans in S transforms the experience. Shift points move higher, shifts are quicker and firmer, it holds intermediate gears when you back off the gas, and it does automatic rev-matched downshifts as you slow and stop. Very cool, and very aggressive. This may be my favorite mode.

The paddles are weird in D. They only temporarily override the electro-brain, so they are good for getting ready for a quick pass on a two lane road, but not for full manual control. On the other hand, if you are in S, once you start playing with the paddles, you own the gears (mostly). It shifts quickly upon command, holds the gear against the rev-limiter, and mostly plays manual. The only exception I can find is that it will downshift to 3 (3?) if you come to a full stop. Kind of an odd choice, I think, but that's what it does, and 3 turns out to be plenty of gear to accelerate away from a stop, even if you are not breaking any speed records.

I think as I get better at it I am really going to like the AT. The S-automatic mode seems particularly cool to me.

 

[Papaya]

I am comparing to the 2 paddle shifter cars we had/have so far, reading this. Maybe I am reading your complain wrong. You complain that the transmission did rescue you because you forgot to downshift "before" you are going into a curve? (Low engine RPM) Both, Smart car and our Jeep Grand Cherokee are doing this too and I think this is good and not bad. If you drive manual, you should know that you shift down before you going around a curve and I know that you know that.

For me it looks like that you are not use to modern AT with paddle shifters. I like cars very much with paddle shifter. And yes. I had also to learn how to use them.
BTW: I forgot. Modern AT do "learn" how you like to use your gears. It needs a couple 1,000 but it will learn how you like to drive. The transmission of my 2000 Mercedes was complete weird to drive when we bought it last year. Running up to 2,500 RPM before shifting. After I did a reset on it, the transmission shifts now at 1,900 and that is how it should be. So I hope the Ford AT is learning too!?

 

[TNcoupe]

I think the redline interior on ruby red just doesn't work.

Red interior should be illegal in all 50 states.

 

[Ninjak]

I drove a auto eco and I found that in normal, yes the car was a bit like....ok I'll accelerate. But in sport mode, it was a different story. Also in S, it was a fun little drive with the paddles.

I think the auto is just fine, and remember a tune on the auto for the tranny will make a world of a difference as well. I know it did for the 13's and 14's.

 

[OppoLock]

I also test drove an automatic EB (and I typically drive a stick).

I wrote about it somewhere on the site, so hopefully my recollections now are the same as they were last week when I wrote the review of my test drive.

My recollection is that I also found the transmission underwhelming. The primary issue is that the reaction to the paddles is pretty slow. So if you are D mode, and use a paddle, it takes some time before the car responds. It is therefore possible to be shifting manually at about the same time the car shifts automatically, which ends up creating a "double shift".

In S mode you are in complete control, so at least that's nice. You can bounce off the rev limited all you want. The car will downshift as you slow down in order to prevent lugging the engine and horrible acceleration. I think that is fair.

So, I found that if you are in D, it's tough to take advantage of the "manual override" because of the slow response. If you are in S, at least you know the car won't be shifting as well, so you are less likely to get in the wrong gear.

Personally, I'd get the stick shift.

-T

Yep, the primary issue has to do with the transmission's input response and overall shift speeds. Less lag coupled with faster cog swapping would go a long distance. Aside from that (rather crucial) issue, it manages to do the things you'd expect a performance auto to do: gears are held at the fuel cutoff, downshifts are well-matched and will only automatically happen if you're well below the operable rev range.

Behaviorally speaking, it's okay. All of the OP's issues with mixed shifting sound like user error. You don't use the paddles in D unless you want to click off some shifts before matting the go pedal for something like an overtake maneuver, because the car will resume its auto behavior shortly after.

With all of that said, if I were looking at an S550 auto, I'd hold out for whatever transmission is coming down the pipeline. Either way, I'm going three pedal.

 

[Rickycardo]

When the dealer gets a GT auto in I'll drive that as well. I will try to do it without the salesman along so I can take the time and concentrate on the transmission alone. I know what else I want in the car so no answering un-needed questions. I will do my homework to ensure I'm running it as intended. Still...

Either way, I'm going three pedal.

I'm leaning this way.

 

[Dirtleg]

While I get the fact that the auto with paddles is an alright setup when in S mode, I think I side with the OP on this. I cannot stand the indecisiveness of an auto. Until it can read my mind and anticipate my shifting desires it will be this way. A major part of the enjoyment of driving is shifting manually. Nailing a perfect heel and toe downshift or a hard run up through the gears is something I'm not willing to part with for convenience. And yes I've owned manuals in both L.A. and Atlanta so traffic isn't a deal breaker either.

But to each his own. Get what you like.

 

[93calypso]

I've had my ecoboost auto non pp and put 1500 miles on it already. After driving it so much running it in d is good enough for me. It does slug on the shift a bit at WOT but unless I'm racing it's no big deal I'll switch to sport or track then. As far as taking corners gear selection has always been spot on. It does even better taking turns in sport or track although I've only done it a few times since I haven't taken it to a track. Honestly unless you're a speed racer driving like a high schooler everywhere there really isn't much need for it. The other complaint was the throttle response, when I first got it there was a bit of a lag, especially from a dig but now I can lay into her and she just goes. Overtime it'll get better as it learns you're driving.

I will be doing some autocross with it in January so we'll see how it fares then. And I'll have my gopro hooked up.

Here's a clip of it the other night. Sorry for the bad angle, still trying to find the right spot for the camera.
2015 mustang ecoboost:

 

[Branden]

I've had my ecoboost auto non pp and put 1500 miles on it already. After driving it so much running it in d is good enough for me. It does slug on the shift a bit at WOT but unless I'm racing it's no big deal I'll switch to sport or track then. As far as taking corners gear selection has always been spot on. It does even better taking turns in sport or track although I've only done it a few times since I haven't taken it to a track. Honestly unless you're a speed racer driving like a high schooler everywhere there really isn't much need for it. The other complaint was the throttle response, when I first got it there was a bit of a lag, especially from a dig but now I can lay into her and she just goes. Overtime it'll get better as it learns you're driving.

I will be doing some autocross with it in January so we'll see how it fares then. And I'll have my gopro hooked up.

Here's a clip of it the other night. Sorry for the bad angle, still trying to find the right spot for the camera.
2015 mustang ecoboost:

I really noticed that too. I test drove an EB and GT both auto yesterday, and at first it felt like the EB was real sluggish. By the time I was done with the test drive, I didn't even notice it and it was actually a lot of fun to drive. You can't go into the EB thinking it will feel like the GT. It takes a bit more pedal, and a few more RPMs for the power to kick in.

Probably 80-90% of my driving is with a speed limit under 40, and I actually preferred driving the EB in that environment. The GT literally had too much power. A few seconds of acceleration and I was doing 100 in a 55. Since the EB has less power it feels like you can accelerate longer, which I think is part of the fun.

 

[phil1336]

Red interior should be illegal in all 50 states.

And "Ebony Black" Interior should be banned throughout the entire World!

 

[phil1336]

Those that purchased the EB 2.3 I4 with A/T are now having buyers regret, huh? Should have saved a bundle, especially if you opted for the Convertible and ordered the 3.7 V6. All that Ford "PR" and now a bit of a fizzle rather then a "pop".

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