5th Jul 2020, 03:34

Insightful comments.

These cars appear to be a major step forward in both function and reliability.

Modern transmission design is constrained by not only fuel economy, but emissions. Drivability loses out.

Lowering engine speed for a given vehicle speed can reduce the emission of hydrocarbons on a grams per mile basis for EPA tests. Hence, modern engines often lug at RPMs well below that which would provide decent drivability. Any request for additional speed or encountering a increase in grade will result in a downshift or 2 unless you are dealing with a gasoline direct injection turbocharged engine whose torque curve is biased towards low speed torque with a wide torque curve. Conversely, the 3.6 GM V6 likes to rev to provide meaningful thrust.