Guack007

If it were up to me it would come with a 7-speed like some euro rally cars get. With more gearing two things are possible, more acceleration by way of keeping the car in the powrband all the way till top speed; Or you can use the gearing to gain a higher top speed ( taller gearing ).So I say why not use a 7-speed similar to the new Nissan Murano only in manual form so that the first 6 gears can be used to gain the acceleration edge that the STI will have and use the 7th as a cruising gear for long high speed trips on the highway. If you could go 80 at 3000 rpm you would probly be getting about 30mpg.

97 gp gt

The 7sp in the Murano is actually a CVT, meaning it can get as many gear ratios as it wants. Essentially, this means that it can hold the engine at the peak of the powerband to get the best acceleration, rather than shifting from above the powerband to slightly below and constantly changing the rpm. The seven speed is only (i think) seven prechosen gear ratios that the transmission can be told to go to and hold at. I'm curious to see the performance of the CVT, it just might be quicker than the manual because it doesn't shift.

MyCre8n=Evlshn

Good point on the CVT!!! That's the shape of things to come.

On the rest of this thread: Please note my post (Vegas meeting thread?) on Evo specs known...

We Do Know....Well, let me rephrase that... ... I Know and you will too (once you realize the info I posted wasn't conjecture) that the VIII is coming with a 6-speed.

Repeat: The Evo VIII IS coming with a SIX-speed manual tranny.

Enough repeating. If someone wants to argue about it not having any metal in the frame, go ahead...It just doesn't matter...but the frame will be made of metal...arguments or not.

fat_zilla

i could be wasted and still get a good 0-60 in an AWD car

Guack007

No, in a rear wheel drive car or a large displassment V-8 and AWD it is easy to get good launches, However launching a 2.0 4 cyl with alot of turbo backpressure to overcome in the low end takes a very precise amout of feathering with the clutch and gas.

SpeedHeals

Personally I would prefer the 6 speed. You use the 6th gear for highway speeds. It will reduce noise and improve milage. 6 spds can be made durable. Take a look at all the high performance sport cars coming with huge hp and torque - they all have 6 spds. Granted they are more for top speed but they are still durable.

Make mine a 6 spd. It had better have at least 265 hp. as well!

BADWRX

iTrader: (1)

The Porsche designed GBD STi (That is the "NEW AGE" STi for those of you from the non subie camp) 6 speed is said to be bulletproof. The Subaru AWD 5spd box is a piece of crap, so, there goes your 5spd is stronger theroy. Actually, the STi 6spd is touted as being the best AWD 6spd ever designed(Production). That is a pretty amazing thing. To bad it will cost we Americans 6-8000 to import one. I wan't one so bad. I just wish that I had the extra income to throw at it.

BADWRX

iTrader: (1)

And also, the JDM STi has a close ratio 6spd. That car has a rpm limited top speed of 153 because the gears are grouped tighter. My friend has one in his USDM WRX, and he is in 5th down the 1/4 mile! The EURO spec 6 speed has a rpm limited top speed of 187! So, not all 6spd's have good highway gearing. Take for comparison that the USDM 5 spd box had better gearing then the JDM 6. Our 5spd will make about 172 if your motor has the oomph! The fastest that I have gone is about 158, back in my cars more stock days.