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Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal

Jason · May 2, 2021 11:00 AM

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 01

Having had the misfortune of spending time with a car equipped with a 4-speed torque converter automatic transmission (let's call it the 4AT moving forward), I have decided to campaign to outlaw sale of cars that comes with this type of transmission, not just in Malaysia but the entire world.

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 02

2019 Proton Saga 4AT: One step forward, two steps back?

Do I really hate the 4AT that much? Of course not, I just want to see it at the bottom of a scrapheap, dying a death that should've came years ago. Here, let me impartially and objectively outline why the 4-speed automatic transmission needs to go, pronto. 

It’s 2021

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 03

First encounter with a 4AT, 28 years ago

When I first sat in a car with a 4-speed automatic, it was 1993 (the car itself, was made in 1987). If you do the math, that was 28 years ago (blimey I am old). The 4AT is the transmission equivalent of a bloody cockroach. It's ever-present, and hardly in a good way.

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Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 01

In my lifetime, the 4AT has lasted SEVEN generations of Porsche 911

Think about it, in that time, the Vatican has had gone through THREE Popes, Malaysia, FIVE Prime Ministers, and Porsche, SEVEN generations of the 911. Still, the 4AT is with us, in 2021. It would seem that not even a nuclear warhead can eviscerate it. 

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 02

If we didn't allow progress, we'd still be using these kind of tyres now

Regardless, we live in an age where 8-, 9-speed automatics are commonplace now. Whilst a transmission's number of gears should not be the final indicator of how good it is, from an engineering standpoint, so much progress have been made in two or more decades. 4 speeders should be kept where they truly belong, in a museum. Otherwise, we'd still be using thin, cross ply tyres now.

It’s not very economical

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 03

The transmission equivalent of a cockroach

With only four forward ratios, engineers are kinda stuck when it comes to balancing adequate performance with economy. No matter how you look at it, the 4AT - especially in highway driving - struggles to be economical. 

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 04

ZF's 8HP 8-speed torque converter, twice the gears of a 4AT

How can it be anything but economical? You only have four gears. Cruising at a steady 120 km/h will see the engine speed hovering around 3,500 rpm. Conversely, a CVT-type transmission can hold the same speed, while showing only a tickle over 2,000 rpm on the tachometer. You don't need me to tell you which is the more efficient transmission over 500 kms, right?

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 05

Which is odd because cars that are equipped with a 4AT, tend to have audiences that prioritise low running costs. That should include low fuel consumption, am I right? But clearly a CVT is better in the fuel economy stakes, correct? So.... remind me again why manufacturers use 4ATs?

It’s ponderous

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 06

Came standard with a 4AT, 17 years ago

For as long as it has existed, the basic architecture of the 4-speed automatic has remained the same, save for minor improvements here and there. The problem is, it makes for a painful (yes, painful) driving experience, as I had the misfortune of finding out. 

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 07

The feeling when you have to overtake using a 4AT

The gap between the ratios is so vast, you grimace as you attempt to overtake anything that moves on the road. Drop down one gear? There's not enough torque for anything to happen. Drop two gears? The engine screams for dear life, but still nothing happens. And that's just on a flat surface. Try overtaking on an uphill trajectory, and you will curse the dreadful thing.

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 08

Imagine having to overtake one of these with a 4AT.
Image credit

You could argue that to get around this problem, just drive normally. But there will be situations where you desperately need to overtake a slow moving log trailer (for safety reasons) and then realise you're unable to do so swiftly.

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 09

Drama-free, and not much else

So, sure, it's a drama-free ownership experience as argued here previously, but why in tarnation would you wanna drive something that makes you question your existence, or worse still, endanger you?

Also readThis RM 200m plant is why Perodua will continue using 4-speed automatics for many more years to come

CVTs do it better

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 10

Why 4AT when you can CVT?

In almost every metric, the continuously variable transmission (CVT) gets the job done better. Keep in mind, we're not looking for the most sporty or most performance-oriented transmission here, just one that makes excellent use of an engine's powerband, and is efficient while doing so.

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 11

We rate Perodua Ativa's Dual-Mode CVT very highly

Examples? The new Perodua Ativa's CVT is responsive, direct and not too noisy. The current Nissan Almera has one of the smoothest, well-mannered CVTs this side of the world. Don't believe me? Just go for a test drive. If cost is a concern, then the CVT is the answer to this conundrum. The more cars adopt it, the lower it will cost.

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 12

Nissan Almera has one of the smoothest CVTs out there

Some will point to the Proton Saga reverting to a 4-speed auto from a CVT, but that's because that particular Punch CVT was the most awful CVT transmission mankind has ever seen, and not representative of the better, more accomplished CVTs out there. 

Conclusion

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 13

There really are very little reasons for the 4AT to continue being the transmission of choice in cars, econoboxes or not. That should be what progress is all about, constant innovation regardless of the segment of the market. I mean, if we can equip a Perodua Myvi - a RM 53k car - with autonomous emergency braking (previously unthinkable in this price range), surely we can do better than a 4AT in the transmission department.

Selling cars with a 4-speed automatic, in 2021, should be illegal 14

How can a vehicle costing close to RM 100k, come with a 4AT?

So my plea to car manufacturers is this: please, stop putting 4-speed automatics in your cars. It reeks of laziness. Cost is not an excuse, because clearly you're selling enough cars to invest in a better transmission. The solution is staring you right in the face, and it is a ready-made jigsaw piece to your puzzle. 

Jason

Road Test Editor

Jason's foremost passion is all things automotive, where he spent his formative working years as a Product Planner and Trainer. An Advanced Driving Instructor by training and an all-round enthusiast, Jason loves going into intricate details about driving dynamics. Will drive anything with 4 wheels and a steering.

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