7-Speed Manuals:Coming to a Performance Car Near You

On Tue, 6 Sep 2011 09:20:48 -0700 (PDT), "
> wrote:

>I don't know if you guys have seen, but Porsche is now offering a 7-
>speed manual on their new[est] 911. The box offers 6 "sports ratios"
>and 7th is an overdrive. Porsche says the extra ratios improve fuel
>economy. Anyone want to bet we won't see a 7-speed gearbox in a
>Mustang in the near future?
>
>On a similar note, Chrysler will soon offer an 8-speed auto (Lexus is
>the only other company I know that offers one) in their LX sedans,
>AND, here's the big news, supposedly a 9-speed unit is on the way.
>
>We sure are living in a fast-paced automotive world. It wasn't that
>long ago 3-speed autos dominated the market for YEARS, decades
>actually. Same with 14-inch and 15-inch tires/wheels. Rear disc
>brakes, fuel injection, multi-valve heads IRS were/was racing/high-
>tech/exotic stuff. Sure makes you wonder what we'll see in the
>decades to come.
>
>Patrick
> .

Will it seem so great when they need rebuilding?? I have to wonder
how much is driven by marketing versus real need.