Does Hybrid mean Automatic Transmission is a must?

[jenhonski]

Does anybody know if cars like the upcoming Insight and Fit Hybrid can deploy Manual Transmissions? I'm not asking if they will, I'm wondering if the Hybrid technology must have automatic transmission to work or if this is just what makers are putting on them (e.g., prius only comes with Auto).

I was just thinking that a Honda Fit with Manual Transmission along with Hybrid-equivalent gas mileage would be pretty sweet. Essentially the Honda IMA Hybrid technology of just saving gas by avoiding idiling etc.

[trancedsailor]

The first production hybrid was the Insight and came in 5spd. If I could find one today in lime green with under 40k miles and $10,000 I'd sell my Fit.

[solbrothers]

insight had a manual transmission

[FiveFreshFish]

In the future, you'll see CVT and DSG transmissions gaining popularity. However, AT will still dominate for years to come, at least in North America.

Continuously variable transmission - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

Direct-Shift Gearbox - Wikipedia, the free encyclopedia

[eldaino]

no small hybird sedan currently uses a traditional automatic...its either a cvt or a planetary two speed like in the prius, they are never just 'automatics'.


if they came with dsg's, they would be awesome, because they shift very quickly.


technology has progressed enough to where a computer can judge shift points better than a person.

even in a simple mainstream car like the civic, which version has a higher epa rating? the manual or auto? think about it.

[bigtoepfer]

um some of the best gas mileage cars were standards. I know guys in insights that were getting the most amazing gas mileage. But you have to learn to drive one of those things. The only reason i could see doing a insight would be to put the K20 in it LMAO