7AT Nissan 370Z Accelaration Video from Japan 02.04.09
 

Okay, this is probably NOT the best quality video but it gives you an idea how fast the new 7AT is. Judging by the video it seems pretty fast. Here are more info on 7AT gearing.

http://www.the370z.com/images/370zforum/spec3.PNG

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=761W1EJbVKs

I am going to go ahead and say they were pretty impressed by the power ;).

7AT for the win, taking nissan to a new level of refinement and success

Man ! Im so torn now between manual and auto was there a thread that clearly shows the pros and cons of the two? :confused:

Yeah, the Auto is going to accelerate faster (most likely) but the manual will be more fun! As soon as I break the motor in, I'm going to power shift the sh!t out of it and see if I can chirp 4th!

Agreed. The AT will be faster but the MT more fun. I am still leaning towareds the AT...

I am stupid when it comes to the gear ratios but I know higher the number, better SOTP accerleration but you lose top end since it's reving higher sooner. My question is do you look at the final ratio or the 1st gear for how the car will feel upon launch?

I will be really surprised if the Auto is faster than manual. I think the manual is faster because,

1) 370z auto transmission is not same as BMW M class, or any other supercars. I have heard that there is little bit of lag between gear shifts.

2) Auto loses more whp than manual. it is usually 15% loss for Manual, and 20 - 25% loss for Auto.

3) Auto 370z weighs more than manual one.


By the way, the Syncro Rev also helps in upshifts for the manual in which it holds the rpm for couple of mini-seconds, just enough for the smooth gear shifts and continous flow of power between gears. I think this is very advantageous feature because, there seems to be No loss of power through upshits with no Jerking. Syncro Rev is simply amazing...


Until I see the factual test numbers of 0-60, quarter miles...I think the manual is still faster than Auto.

What do you guys think?

It all comes down to the granny-shifting driver.

I tend to agree with you even though I wish 7AT was faster than manual :)

I drove the 7AT before my 6MT came in, all I can say is that I was under-whelmed and uninspired. I am sure I would get used to it, and it would be great for sitting in traffic, but if I weren't getting the 6MT Z I would be shopping for a different car.

Even the BMWs new DSG tranny is not as fast as the 6MT version (E90-92) M3s. Same thing applies to the GOLF GTI with DSG vs Manual. All those cars have better 0-60 times with DSG tranny yet they still lack the trap speed that the 6MT version puts out.

I have personally seen 6MT GTI vs DSG GTI on the freeway and 6MT starting pulling after 70mph. There is also official video from europe testing out the 6MT M3 vs DSG and 6MT walked on the DSG from 40-140 mph on the airfield.

When it comes to the 370z 7AT will be quicker and more consistent on the street and sometimes on a 1/4 mile track. Properly driven 6MT will be quicker than the 7AT especially after 2nd gear.

^^ Look at the G37 guys... 7AT is faster than the MT....

Cause G37 guys cant properly drive manuals....

For 6MT drivers it takes time for you to get consistant with 6MT when it comes to launching and shifting fast. I have been driving MT since 12 years of age and it took me over a year to get consistant 2.1 60ft times with my 6MT G sedan. I had the car for almost 4 years and i was still learning something very minor when i went to the drag strip till the end. Every car is different and there aren't too many people that can drive it as fast as it is capable of.

As i said earlier 7AT will be more consistent but properly driven 6MT will be quicker.

Not really. They are just (obviously) more consistent. The gearing in the 7AT has an advantage in its first two gears but after that, there's no real advantage to the 7AT. Another neat feature is the fact that the torque converter is always locked on the 7AT.

...ofcourse, the 7AT really closed the gap that the 6MT had on the 5AT. But I would still bet that a properly driven 6MT can take the 7AT around any road course.

+1

The AT adds only 36 lbs.

Shift Lag is 500 milliseconds

Power diff - unknown at this time.

Gearing - could be the difference.

A good MT driver can probably get about 300 milliseconds so assume a .2 sec loss there 0-60 (only 1 shift). Some AT's act as a slight torque multiplier (I have no idea why). This isn't a true dual clutch but it does seem to be one of the bests traditional AT's I've seen on paper. It will be down to how much gearing will effect it and driver error for the most part. Top end should go to the manual due to slightly greater power loss though the AT. The big news is that if it's the same Tranny as in the FX50, it will handle a LOT more power than the old 350Z's AT (which sucks monkey balls for power handling).

I havent' test driven 6MT but I was also a bit disappointed by 7AT. I am test driving another auto this weekend along with 6MT and will report back my thoughts. Did you feel less power with the auto?

damn good thing i got a Z then. i guess just because i own one i can shift SUPA FAST. :driving: :gtfo2:

Terribleone - how does 370z compare to your G37? I presume both are manual?

Thanks!

Guess we will see.... And I was not talking faster around a road course. The MT better be quicker around a road course.

I was talking straight line. I still think the AT will have the advantage there.

Actually, the auto now has a multi-disc (5 I think) 100% lock-up torque converter. The power loss through the drivetrain will be less than typical. I suspect a 7HP difference between the MT and AT. Nobody has dyno'd the AT yet, though. The reason there will still be power loss is that an AT has a lot more spinning mass. So the manual will be more efficient, whereas the the AT will have the better launching gears... In addition, the AT has the ability to torque up. A manual CANNOT do that without a transbreak.

The AT will be faster in the quarter, I'm about 90% sure on that. I race both AT and MT and I'm pretty confident that with the ability to launch with torque already at the wheels and the limited amount of power drain through the auto, it should be a quicker run. I can shift a car in the 300ms range without a problem. I look forward to power shifting the Z and seeing how fast I can REALLY get it to run the 1/4, so I really think it will come down to standard MT drivers being slower than the AT, and drivers that SLAM and power shift will be faster than the AT..

On the freeway, the MT will likely win. That 7th speed doesn't help with the gear ratios, and the final gear on the MT will make a huge difference. Control is everything though. It may be down to the drivers.

I agree.

Given the fact that 370z is pure 2 door sports car, I cant even imagine driving it in automatic. If this car is lambo, Ferrari, or even BMW M, I can understand (but, I would still get manual for these cars..lol)

I would like to get most out of this car, drive the way it was suppose to be, and thats by manual, Syncro-Rev style!!! :tup:

Remember, Don't let the car drive you, Let it be Driven by you..

Guys, these are just my personal opinion, so no offense meant to auto 370z owners. I just want prospective buyers to consider test driving both manual and auto before making huge decision...:hello:

Decision 99.5% made.. 7AT

+10

I have been driving manuals all my life and currently have my first auto with paddle shifters. They have provided nothing but fun for me all the while being convenient. In fact my current vehicle has been my favorite car up to date. And I'm sure the auto will be just as fast if not faster up to triple digit speeds making this an even easier decision for me. I am officially done with manuals....unless I decide to pick up a Viper in the near future.

MT is another sensation, using the cluch = more sporty

AT is diferent the sensation, but improve in the aceleration = more quick

Well I didn't get on it too hard, but obviously the engine is the same so it felt about the same, just boring and distant.

I guess for me it isn't all about having the fastest shift on the block, I enjoy the involvement and connection with the manual, even if the auto shifts a tiny bit quicker.

I would never buy a Miata or Z with an auto, and I would never buy a minivan or SUV with a manual. To each their own I suppose.

I'm going to test drive both this weekend, but here's my question. Maybe you (or anyone) can help me with this. I've also driven manuals all my life, but this time I wanted the paddle shifters. I know this isn't a DSG like in an M3 or an Audi, but I want to know if it will ever interfere at all. If I'm using the paddle shifters, will it shift for me at some point? I don't want any interference, I want it to shift up or down only when I do it. Is that possible in the Z, or do I need to stick w/ the 6AT? I know with the DSG cars, it only shifts when you tell it to, other than going back into first when you come to a stop.

Thanks.

Can anyone confirm whether 7AT starts in 2nd gear from dead stop - depending on throttle position?

I would imagine the 7AT only shifts when you want it to, except going into first upon near stop. Most sport ATs do this now. Heck, my wife's CX7 6AT does that...

You can start in 2nd from a dead stop....but I don't recommend that.

Based on the reviews I have read, the car will not shift unless you tell it too. My TL-S will shift only if I keep bouncing off the rev limiter for a few seconds. I gotta say the paddle shifters have an awesome feel to them.

That'd be a fantastic way to screw up a good torque converter. And you're not going to gain from it.

Again, the 7AT will not be faster than a properly driven manual in any condition, any track. Problem is, finding a 6MT driver than can actually drive the car to its potential isn't that common.

Anyhow, if you want some real fun, 6MT is the clear choice. Th 7AT is great for those who dont really have much of an option though.

^^^ I'd like to see track results before saying that with so much assurance. As much as I'd LIKE to say the MT is going to be faster, the chances (and numbers) don't really agree with it. Most drag cars are autos with manual valve bodies. And although less gears are better for high hp/tq cars, lower power cars need more gears. The AT didn't get to use all 7 speeds to it's full capability when it comes to ratios which is a shame. It would have been cool to see 6th gear as 1:1, but either way, the AT is going to be a tough race for even a good manual driver.

I consider myself good, especially for drag racing, so we'll see. My dad decided to buy an auto 370z, so we'll race and see which one is fastest. He'll probably be buying his shortly after I buy mine.

like mentioned before the auto will own 98% of the 6spd drivers out there from the stop, but w/ a proper driver once 2nd if locked in the reeling in will begin and it will be an easy 2-3 shift/pass of an auto Z

Guys - I am NOT suggesting that you drive the car in 2nd. Some auto, just start off in 2nd gear - case in point, 335. unless you put it in manual mode, the car just starts out in 2nd gear. I am not even sure what you mean by screwing up a torque converter by starting in 2nd...this is what snow mode is in some cars.

See my original post - I know the car "can" start from 2nd. The question is does the car automatically start in 2nd gear for fuel economy reasons etc. The reason I am asking is bc the car felt sluggist starting off.

sbkim is right. Most if not all AT BMWs start off from 2nd gear on regular drive mode.
sbkim: To answer your question, i doubt the Z starts off from 2nd gear because nissan has never done that. As far as i know BMW is the only car that mode in their auto tranny for some odd and stupid reason.

thanks klubbheads! Good to see another 335 owner here. Have you driven the Z? Love to hear your thoughts between the 2 cars.

I test drove another auto. This time I kept the car in mostly sport/manual mode. The car def felt more responsive keeping the RPM hight. Gear changes were pretty quick but not discernibly faster than newer autos (again, comparing to auto in my 335 coupe).