Which is faster between automatic and manual transmission with the same horsepower?
2 Answers
Manual transmission is faster with the same horsepower. Manual transmissions deliver higher actual power (horsepower) efficiency to the wheels compared to conventional "hydraulic torque converter automatic transmissions" and "CVT continuously variable transmissions." Principle of manual transmission: A car that uses a manual shift mechanical transmission (also known as manual transmission, MT) to adjust speed. This means the driver must manually shift the gear lever to change the gear engagement inside the transmission, altering the gear ratio to achieve speed variation. The gear lever can only be moved when the clutch is depressed. Advantages of manual transmission: Drivers can save fuel by selecting the appropriate gear. Manual transmission cars are often considered more fuel-efficient because mechanical transmissions have higher transmission efficiency, reducing power loss. Driving a manual transmission car requires higher skill levels, and proper and timely gear selection is essential to achieve true fuel savings.
From my personal experience of multiple test drives, manual transmissions are usually faster with the same horsepower, especially during initial acceleration. This is because manual shifting allows me to precisely control the timing, completely avoiding the microsecond-level delay of automatic transmissions. With skilled technique, it's normal to shave off a few tenths of a second in 0-100 acceleration. Manual transmissions are lighter, making the entire car more agile and responsive. Automatic transmissions are easier to drive, but when encountering steep slopes or sudden acceleration, they might hesitate to shift, resulting in inconsistent power delivery. For daily city driving, the difference is minimal, but when it comes to pushing speed limits, manual transmissions give me a more direct sense of control and the joy of perfect harmony between man and machine. Although automatic transmission technology has improved significantly, with dual-clutch being very quick, the pure sensation of manual transmissions still holds a slight advantage in acceleration.