INFORMATIVE OPINION

Re: Tiptronic
Posted by Mark Lysinger on Tuesday, 21 October 1997, at 12:30 p.m.

I've often wondered if someone standing on the side of the road could distinguish between a Boxster with stick and a Boxster with tip. It seems to me that if a tip is driven aggresively (i.e. more foot pressure on the accelerator resulting in lots of revs) then the car makes the same sounds as a stick driven aggressive (i.e. lots of revs). The point is that I have the same fun listening to the cars noises that I suspect stick owners have. On the other hand I don't have the joy of working the clutch (there is no clutch on this car) and stick shift. I miss it a little but not when I'm in traffic which is 50% of my driving time. At those times it drives just like any other automatic transmission.

In automatic mode ("D" on floor shifter) gears are switched automatically depending on several factors, the accelerator pressure being the main factor. Starting off with light pressure results in an economical shifting program (shifts at lower revs). A little more pressure gets more revs and heavy pressure gets you shifts at just below red line. In all cases shifts are very smooth.

Its also important to note that in automatic mode the car starts out in second gear. This more closely mimics a standard automatic transmission. If however you give the car the foot in starts out in first for maximum acceleration from start.

An interest characteristic is automatic down shifting. The car will free wheel if pressure is removed from the accelerator, however, when the brakes are applied the transmission assists slow down by down shifting through the gears. Its another nice feel that I enjoyed from previous stick cars that I've owned.

In manual mode ("M" on floor shifter) the wheel mounted switches perform the function of shifting gears. Shifting can be done while accelerating. In mountain driving its a blast. It possibly might be more entertaining than driving a stick in the mountains. YMMV

Its important to note that while in manual mode the transmission is not completely manual. For instance, if you slow down to a stop and forget to manually down shift, the transmission will down shift for you rather than stall the engine. NO stalls possible with this transmission. On the other side of the coin the transmission will not allow you to exceed red line. It up shifts before red line is exceeded.

The bottom line is if you love using a clutch and stick shift or if you want maximum performance for racing then the tiptronic is probably not for you. If you drive your car in traffic and don't race then you might want to try the tip. In any event drive before you buy. The tip is 3K+. You don't want to make a costly mistake.

Hope this helps,

Mark

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