Ever since I drove our Nissan 370Z extensively back in August, the following thought pops into my head when I get into a different manual-transmission car: "Wait, you mean I have to heel-toe downshift to match revs? Well that sucks."
I didn't think this was going to be the case when I first drove our Z. "SynchroRev Match is just a novelty," I figured, and I even turned it off and matched revs the old-timey way.
But whether due to laziness or appreciation on how well it works (or both), SRM is now on all the time when I drive the Z. It matches engine rpm to wheel speed perfectly for every downshift (can't say that about my own heel-toe downshifts) and I still get the tactile pleasure of working the clutch and shifter, which is something I don't get from the GT-R's automated dual-clutch manual gearbox.
Brent Romans, Senior Automotive Editor
greenpony says:
10:28 AM, 10/ 7/09
Even though I don't usually find myself needing to downshift, I wish I had this on my cars.
wasaabi92 says:
10:34 AM, 10/ 7/09
The only thing I'd find odd about driving a 370Z w/SRM would be that I'd still be blipping the throttle when the system is turned on. It's a habit of mine that I've been performing since I got my first (manual) car ... a whole 6 years ago! It's almost subconscious.
If I were to blip the throttle with SRM turned on, would it make a difference?
lowmilelude says:
10:40 AM, 10/ 7/09
Editors were made lazy LONG before SynchroRev.
jackson611 says:
10:56 AM, 10/ 7/09
does this also have anti-stall?
crowb says:
11:11 AM, 10/ 7/09
@ wasaabi92
As I understand it, with SRM turned on, the driver's throttle blips will work seamlessly with the SRM stystem. However I assume that if you were to give the car more throttle than the SRM system is providing, then that would raise the revs beyond where the system was trying to hold them. But as soon as you let off of the throttle (assuming the clutch pedal is still depressed), then the SRM system will bring the revs back down to the appropriate level. Basically you could practice rev matching with the SRM system on, with no adverse effects.
I'd also like to add that I would love to have this feature on my car.
Mad_Science says:
11:36 AM, 10/ 7/09
From an engineering perspective, I appreciate it.
They managed to get a good bit of a DSG-type gearbox functionality with a really simple hardware/software package.
Probably 1/20th the cost of re-engineering a DSG-type transmission.
As a driver, I'm not sure. I'd have to try it out. I'm skeptical because the more the car does for you, the less of a fun sports car it becomes. It might be faster, better even, but not more fun.
roadburner says:
11:50 AM, 10/ 7/09
When I drive a manual I want it to be completely manual. How else can I practice heel and toe? Otherwise, I'll take a good DSG/DCT.
addicted says:
11:50 AM, 10/ 7/09
@wasabi92
As a 370Z owner, it took a bit of time to break the heel - toe habit, but 90% of the time, the car is better than you are at matching. It'll still let you kick the revs up with SRM on and will compensate if you under rev. If you over rev, you end up with a jerky shift. I've gotten to the point where I just leave the system on most of the time, turning it off in stop/start traffic or if I feel the need to remind myself that my time practiced skill has been effectively replaced by a machine
felonious says:
11:55 AM, 10/ 7/09
Lowmiledude, quote of the week. :)
Roadburner, just turn it off when you want to practice. Not a big deal.
jaeger1 says:
12:05 PM, 10/ 7/09
I think this whole concept is bloody brilliant. Hope it trickles down to other models.
roadburner - the system can be turned off for those that want to practice. It's a win-win deal.
jackson611 says:
01:32 PM, 10/ 7/09
@ addicted
does it have anti-stall?
yellowmiata says:
01:35 PM, 10/ 7/09
It doesn't have anti-stall - I've stalled my Z.
addicted says:
01:40 PM, 10/ 7/09
@jackson611
No anti-stall.
Earlier post should also read a bit differently than it does on review. SRM matches revs perfectly 100% of the time which is exaggerated as about 90% better than your avg human being.
bromans says:
02:25 PM, 10/ 7/09
@addicted
Good point about turning off SRM in heavy traffic. The auto throttle blip can become annoying in those situations.
@lowmiledude
I actually had my secretary write this post because I was too lazy to get off the couch and come to work.
-Brent
roadburner says:
07:37 PM, 10/ 7/09
I know that the SRM can be turned off; I just know I'd never use it, so the feature is worth nothing to me. Just my opinion.
07mx5 says:
07:41 PM, 10/ 7/09
I bet it lengthens the life of the clutch
mdpay says:
08:00 PM, 10/ 7/09
I wonder if this is how women with beautiful natural breasts felt when implants became common place? Cheated!
I've worked for years to perfect my heel-toe shifting and now this. Press a button. Perfect rev matching. I feel cheated!
notabigdeal says:
06:50 AM, 10/ 8/09
@ mdpay Trust me, Natural is still better. I meant boobs, not sure about SRM.
I think this is a perfect first-time manual car. You can get it for around 30k and if you have a hard time figuring out how to drive forward having one less worry will be such a help. Especially if your the person in shotgun tring to teach your girlfriend how to drive stick.
PS: I learned how to drive stick on my dad's old truck. All the people making BS about how the Z makes annoying and unpleasing sounds need to try driving any truck via 80's.