IS-SV

I agree. But Lexus should have 7 speeds on the IS and GS (like the MB C and E-classes) and the MB S-class should have 8 speeds (like the LS460), etc.........................................................................

-J-P-L-

It's absurd to compare a TL to an Accord. There's a bigger difference between the two than the difference between an ES350 and a Camry. Even a TSX is vastly superior.

mmarshall

The TSX (though you probably know this) is actually taken off the non-U.S. market Accord platform, which is somewhat smaller than the Accord sold here.

SLegacy99

No, no I meant that I used to have the TL on my list cause you could get it with a 6MT. It was sporty in that respect compared to the ES.

But yes, a company as big as Honda should have an AT with more than 5 gears if every other major automaker does.

superchan7

Just to rub it in for us all, the TSX is not only based on the platform. It is simply a rebadged and loaded Euro/JDM Accord. But I like the car, even the new look.

Ice350

iTrader: (1)

Why does the car need so many gears?

FKL

Comparison between an A6 / Passat is laughable. They are related in zero ways. The TL is derived from the Accors, that cannot be argued.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

i guess it depends on design, but i do think 6 gears can provide a smoother ride compared to 5 gears, on top of gas mileage

but 7 and 8, i don't know. on my ls460l i did feel a lot of shifting. and at that point i actually think maybe it makes more sense to go cvt

mmarshall

How does adding gears affect ride quality? I don't follow you on that one. Ride quality is usually related to matters of chassis/tire/suspension design, vehicle weight/load, amount of suspension travel, unsprung weight under the springs/shocks, and road surface.

Totally agree with you here....I've brought this matter up in a number of posts. The more gears you add, the closer you get to a CVT, especially with the 7 and 8-speed units found in some Mercedes and Lexus models. The big hold-up on many CVT's, in the past, has been their unsuitability for all but low-torque engines. Audi and Nissan have found ways to adapt them, successfully, to larger V6s approaching 300 HP and 300 ft-lbs. of torque, though, lately, Audi seems to be depending more on the Tiptronic.

But, given the choice between a CVT and the VW/Audi DSG, I'd take the latter in a heartbeat. I don't know if you have had the chance to drive a DSG (S-Tronic in some Audi-speak), but it is, IMO simply superb....especially with the equally superb 2.0T powerplant.

rominl

iTrader: (4)

the less gear, the higher rpm you shift. the higher rpm, in general the rougher the car gets. with more gears, you stay in lower rpm more often providing a better ride. ride quality isn't just suspension, imagine if you are riding in a car that's constantly in 5000 rpm. that's what i mean by "smoother"

4TehNguyen

iTrader: (1)

more gears = less change in rpm on a shift, smoother power application, better fuel econ, better acceleration

IS-SV

Simple enough.

mmarshall

True, but it also means more down time for the transmission to actually shift all those gears.......that can cut into acceleration times, depending on max revs in each gear and the final-drive ratio. And, in most cases, a conventional, torque-converter automatic can't shift at max engine torque...it has to be momentarily cut back, which hydraulic pressure-sensors in the transmission did in the old days, and computers do today.

More gears also mean more weight inside the transmission, adding to vehicle weight, although that's generally not a big factor.

IS-SV

Obviously there are practical limits with current technology as to how many gears are ideal, but 6/7/8 is close to that ideal number today. 4/5 speed auto trannies in cars are dated.

Those recording 0-60mph data know the impact of shifts that take place right before hitting the 60mph speed, disrupting a 0-60 time significantly.