Electric Manual

Electric manual: Cool idea or oxymoron?

While my car was in the dealership repair shop for a 3rd time (dead battery, supposedly they have fixed the problem by replacing the Navigation system), I got to use the Mazda 6 with a 4 speed automatic with “electric manual” (or “manual shift-mode” as Mazda.com calls it) control.

Without a clutch, I forget I need to shift and end up rev-ing the engine very high. First time I thought to myself “who is the person who can’t drive their car?” Then realized it was me that forgot to switch to 2nd gear.

I really don’t see the point of it. Having it with steering wheel (a la Indy Cars) might be better but I’ll have to reserve judgement on that.