@SAABi:
I don't know where you're taking the argument too, but for you kind information, you CAN absolutely DOWNSHIFT whenever you want and how you want.
Since, you can downshift instantaneously, you definately can use engine braking.
You have an utterly useless comparison here.
If you compare 0-100 times of the same car, one varient with manual and other with paddle-shifter, the paddle-shifter is faster.
Furthermore, to prove my point, compare the acceleration timing of Ferraris, Lamborghinis, New Porsche 911 Turbo, Audi (DSGs), etc.
The new Lexus IS350 doesn't even come with a manual but a paddle-shifter and its 0-100 is 5.3 seconds. Enough to kick a 6 speed manual M3 through the quarter-mile.
I wonder why all high performance grand prix cars have paddle shifters and NOT manuals.
With paddle-shifters you can upshift/downshift in a mere 0.3 seconds. Try doing that with your manual car. In Enzo you can upshift in 0.15 milliseconds.
Hybrids, are the future but not in the form we see today.
Hybrids are actually faster than the petrols. Check the Lexus ****0h range.
Local Automatic cars without hydralic pumps (New Toyota Series) are faster than their manual counterparts.
Try beating a SE Saloon Automatic with a VTi Manual in a roll on.
