Non selespeed Stilo Abarth
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Non selespeed Stilo Abarth
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Yes, they do - although you don't get so many toys on the manual version.
dont think so no. all the abarth 2.4s were selespeed. the mickey mouse gearbox gets on a lot of people's nerves until they learn to use it properly. when i first drove a selespeed alfa 156 it put me off the whole idea of semiauto's. but after a bit of guidance from a more experienced user i quickly got the hang of it and i can see how it would be useful, especially when changing on bends at speed. i still dont like it in stop/start traffic, but you can switch it to fully auto for those situations.
a lot of people think you just change up whenever you like and it'll do it instantly at any revs. in reality you should let off the accelerator pedal and change early enough to allow the gearchange to occur, just like a manual. the clutch is automatic, but in reality you still drive it like a manual, just the clutch is automatic. if you just shift up without doing this the gearchange is jumpy and slower.
a lot of people think you just change up whenever you like and it'll do it instantly at any revs. in reality you should let off the accelerator pedal and change early enough to allow the gearchange to occur, just like a manual. the clutch is automatic, but in reality you still drive it like a manual, just the clutch is automatic. if you just shift up without doing this the gearchange is jumpy and slower.
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Yes, you can get manual 2.4s 
- although not sure what FIAT currently have in their range.
All the Schumachers are manual.
- although not sure what FIAT currently have in their range.All the Schumachers are manual.
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didn't know that
in that case, i feel a part exchange coming on
in that case, i feel a part exchange coming on
SamG_Brava
Member
Semi-Automatic is fantastic! When people who have drove nothing but mauals jump in the curse it LOL - I hold an automatic-only licence have have drove a few semi-autos, my favourite being the easytronic 1.2 Corsa
ive got a manual, i tried the selespeed but hated it.
you wont get as many toys on the manuals as they were all cost options unlike the sillyspeed. However, it is a better drivers car.
you wont get as many toys on the manuals as they were all cost options unlike the sillyspeed. However, it is a better drivers car.
Im loving my sillyspeed,Hate driving the wifes car now with the manual box,keep forgetting to put the clutch in at junctions
Gav
Member
My wife drives a Corsa 1.2 Easytronic. I find it great around town and when you get in a jam on the motorway. On the open road it's a bit tiring to get it into the gear I want for a corner, or to overtake etc. Sometimes it goes from 1st to 3rd missing second, which will be noted when it goes for its service and recall.
I've driven the Pug 1007 with its tiptronic box, and I like having the paddle option, but that box hates changing up!
I've driven the Pug 1007 with its tiptronic box, and I like having the paddle option, but that box hates changing up!
my fav auto box is still the saab sensonic box.
basically you still have a manual box, with a manual stick and gates. BUT there isn't a clutch pedal!
it clutchs and declutchs itself
you just point the gearstick in the right direction (no buttons, just a magic stick!) into gear, and it clutchs it.
Also allows full throttle upshifts, although its jerky, and probably doesn't do it much good, has a kind of anti lag sounding rev cut when doing full throttle up's.
on the downs, if you are driving it hard (over 4k and only on HOT turbo models) e.g. 4,000rpm in 4th, then you move the stick down to 3rd, it will simply drop the rev's when you let your foot off.
HOWEVER!
IF you keep your foot even a tiny bit on teh loud pedal, it throttle blips to match the revs!!!!!! (doesn't matter whether your foots buried in teh floor, or accidently resting, it blips!).
Its weird when you get to stops and lights, feels all wrong, you simply move it into wide neutral gate to prevent it killingthe clutch.
got to say though, launching isimpossible, won't let you full throttle launch or wheelsping (traction contol and weird 'box stops you).
basically you still have a manual box, with a manual stick and gates. BUT there isn't a clutch pedal!
it clutchs and declutchs itself
you just point the gearstick in the right direction (no buttons, just a magic stick!) into gear, and it clutchs it.
Also allows full throttle upshifts, although its jerky, and probably doesn't do it much good, has a kind of anti lag sounding rev cut when doing full throttle up's.
on the downs, if you are driving it hard (over 4k and only on HOT turbo models) e.g. 4,000rpm in 4th, then you move the stick down to 3rd, it will simply drop the rev's when you let your foot off.
HOWEVER!
IF you keep your foot even a tiny bit on teh loud pedal, it throttle blips to match the revs!!!!!! (doesn't matter whether your foots buried in teh floor, or accidently resting, it blips!).
Its weird when you get to stops and lights, feels all wrong, you simply move it into wide neutral gate to prevent it killingthe clutch.
got to say though, launching isimpossible, won't let you full throttle launch or wheelsping (traction contol and weird 'box stops you).
SamG_Brava
Member
Honda Jazz got automatic of the year Shame its an ugly car
Shame its an ugly car
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jug you shouldnt be trying to change gear in a bend :nono:
My understanding is that after 2004, the Stilo Abarth was available with either Selespeed or Manual. All the current (new) Stilo Abarths that I've seen are Manual. There are not as many toys (as StiloChris said) - specifically, the cars I've seen have cloth seats (instead of leather), ordinary stereo (instead of Connect Nav+ with phone, car settings, trip computer (though you will still have a smaller instrument-panel version), GPS), manual air conditioning (not climate control). Not sure about the auto headlights and wipers (neither are really worth having IMHO )
As for the Selespeed, contrary to what jug said, I find it more convenient than a manual for stop-start driving since you don't have to bother to change down; it's always in the right gear to move off, or negotiate a roundabout. You could say the same for a conventional auto, but the Selespeed gives you that 'manual' responsiveness and economy, and glorious sound from the engine!
You may be interested to know that FIAT Selespeed differs from earlier Alfa Selespeed in that, in the Alfa, the gearbox changes down (by itself) much more aggressively, slamming into first while still moving at a pace, and shifts up faster. This is good for responsiveness but, judging from the two rebuilds undertaken by a local specialist (who rarely sees these later models), it is not good for longevity. The Stilo is much more gentle and slow, and should last much longer.
However - if my Stilo was a manual, I would be able to drive it a lot smoother! Upshifts are (oddly) much jerkier than downshifts - Selespeed lifts the throttle (and reapplies) for you! It can help to feather the throttle but you end up with less performance. In impatient situations the Selespeed can give a very bumpy result, as though a learner driver was driving. Also, 'performance' upshifts are slower than you could do yourself. So it's not really a performance device, more a convenience tool (and it avoids the horrid gear-lever feel that most FIATs have)
My verdict: if you like the extras I mentioned at the start, and the idea of having a unique driving experience, go for the Selespeed - if you don't care about those extras, then definitely get the manual.
-Alex
)As for the Selespeed, contrary to what jug said, I find it more convenient than a manual for stop-start driving since you don't have to bother to change down; it's always in the right gear to move off, or negotiate a roundabout. You could say the same for a conventional auto, but the Selespeed gives you that 'manual' responsiveness and economy, and glorious sound from the engine!
You may be interested to know that FIAT Selespeed differs from earlier Alfa Selespeed in that, in the Alfa, the gearbox changes down (by itself) much more aggressively, slamming into first while still moving at a pace, and shifts up faster. This is good for responsiveness but, judging from the two rebuilds undertaken by a local specialist (who rarely sees these later models), it is not good for longevity. The Stilo is much more gentle and slow, and should last much longer.
However - if my Stilo was a manual, I would be able to drive it a lot smoother! Upshifts are (oddly) much jerkier than downshifts - Selespeed lifts the throttle (and reapplies) for you! It can help to feather the throttle but you end up with less performance. In impatient situations the Selespeed can give a very bumpy result, as though a learner driver was driving. Also, 'performance' upshifts are slower than you could do yourself. So it's not really a performance device, more a convenience tool (and it avoids the horrid gear-lever feel that most FIATs have
)My verdict: if you like the extras I mentioned at the start, and the idea of having a unique driving experience, go for the Selespeed - if you don't care about those extras, then definitely get the manual.
-Alex
The Trooper
Established member
faster4_tec said:my fav auto box is still the saab sensonic box.
basically you still have a manual box, with a manual stick and gates. BUT there isn't a clutch pedal!
it clutchs and declutchs itself
you just point the gearstick in the right direction (no buttons, just a magic stick!) into gear, and it clutchs it.
Also allows full throttle upshifts, although its jerky, and probably doesn't do it much good, has a kind of anti lag sounding rev cut when doing full throttle up's.
on the downs, if you are driving it hard (over 4k and only on HOT turbo models) e.g. 4,000rpm in 4th, then you move the stick down to 3rd, it will simply drop the rev's when you let your foot off.
HOWEVER!
IF you keep your foot even a tiny bit on teh loud pedal, it throttle blips to match the revs!!!!!! (doesn't matter whether your foots buried in teh floor, or accidently resting, it blips!).
Its weird when you get to stops and lights, feels all wrong, you simply move it into wide neutral gate to prevent it killingthe clutch.
got to say though, launching isimpossible, won't let you full throttle launch or wheelsping (traction contol and weird 'box stops you).
I think Fiat had a similar thing with the Seicento. I forget what they called it, but it was a manual without a clutch pedal. I know Renault did something similar with the Clio.
I wouldnt want one of those sillyspeed boxes give me a knob any time I didnt like the auto box on the Jag I bought of my dad either damn lazy way to drive
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PNL said:
Now there's a sig for ya!!
Must admit that I really dont like the sillyspeed box...
Manual is far more driver orientated! And if you order one from factory you can still choose all the options!
Dont even go there :nono: Naughty naughty Nick :devil:SchooweeNick said:
Now there's a sig for ya!!
alexGS said:
i hace to agree, the driving experience is much better with a manual and i for one can live without connect nav and i hate auto wipers and lights.
although i do have leather and dual-zone climate control... which i do love!
