That automatic is built by Aisin, a Toyota-owned automotive supplier, and is actually the same unit that is going into the
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| That automatic transmission is built by Aisin, a Toyota-owned automotive supplier, and is actually the same unit that is going into the upgraded 2005 Mazda6. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
upgraded 2005 Mazda6. Mazda chose to offer it with a manual mode, allowing the driver to select his or her own gears, but Ford instead chose to let it go about its own gear selection. While milling around the show floor I asked one of Ford's project engineers why this choice was made. His reasoning was that the transmission already shifts down when slowing the car, finds the correct gear to be in when cornering and holds gears during aggressive maneuvers, so why bother with the do-it-yourself shift lever. He added that most people don't even use the manual-mode as it is, so it's an added cost that most can do without, and put the savings back into their wallets.
He's got a point on both counts. I've driven this transmission and engine combo in the Five Hundred, and it's a pretty slick duo, ultra-smooth through the cogs and intuitive in its gear selection. Of course, for those who
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| Personally, I would opt for a V6 with a manual transmission if Ford would build it. (Photo: Ford Motor Company of Canada) |
demand absolute control, the Fusion comes with a 5-speed manual, but only with the base 4-cylinder engine. The optional automatic in this configuration is a 5-speed unit. Not only does Mazda offer the 6 with a manual-mode automatic in V6 trim, but also a manual shifter - the best of both worlds for any enthusiast driver. While Ford might not see its customer base being as sport-oriented as Mazda's "zoom-zoom" crowd, I think the Fusion may move its owner demographic lower in age, and such go-fast features could be more popular than they initially have surmised. Personally, I would be a prime candidate for the Fusion, and if available would opt for the V6, manual transmission duo.
