All of my life I have only owned performance cars with real gearboxes. I'm impressed with the XLR's manual mode, and use it whenever I'm out having fun pushing limits. A couple of times after powering through a curve, I've mindlessly shifted from 3rd to 2nd, instead of up to 4rth. I did it again today, I don't even know what speed because when I'm pushing it near the limit around curves I drive by feel, and anyway, if I have my polarized sunglasses the HUD is invisible as you know.

What a jerk! -- both the deceleration when the rpm and the wrong gear met, and me for abusing the car. I ought to get my mind in gear before I put the car in gear. I know that the car is smart enough to not let you downshift at really unreasonable speeds, I don't know what the limit for 2nd is but when you're even close to that margin, you understand right away that you've done something wrong. I would guess I was in the high 50's or low 60's. Ironically, with metal to metal gearboxes I've always prided myself on double clutching so perfectly that downshifts are consistently imperceptible at any speed.

Even though the XLR will not let you downshift at really inappropriate speeds, does anyone know if it does any damage to the engine or transmission when you're near that limit and slam it down with a jerk? Anyone else done this more than once with no consequences?

aerobat

My vote would be no. I downshift consistantly, sometimes I drop it down to 2nd when I'm in 5th and it won't go to 2nd and will just drop according to the RPM's, one gear at a time at certain shift points and will finally go to 1st gear by itself. It's practice, practice, practic, until you stop shifting like a five speed. I love it.
BobAll of my life I have only owned performance cars with real gearboxes. I'm impressed with the XLR's manual mode, and use it whenever I'm out having fun pushing limits. A couple of times after powering through a curve, I've mindlessly shifted from 3rd to 2nd, instead of up to 4rth. I did it again today, I don't even know what speed because when I'm pushing it near the limit around curves I drive by feel, and anyway, if I have my polarized sunglasses the HUD is invisible as you know.

What a jerk! -- both the deceleration when the rpm and the wrong gear met, and me for abusing the car. I ought to get my mind in gear before I put the car in gear. I know that the car is smart enough to not let you downshift at really unreasonable speeds, I don't know what the limit for 2nd is but when you're even close to that margin, you understand right away that you've done something wrong. I would guess I was in the high 50's or low 60's. Ironically, with metal to metal gearboxes I've always prided myself on double clutching so perfectly that downshifts are consistently imperceptible at any speed.

Even though the XLR will not let you downshift at really inappropriate speeds, does anyone know if it does any damage to the engine or transmission when you're near that limit and slam it down with a jerk? Anyone else done this more than once with no consequences?

aerobat

My vote would be no. I downshift consistantly, sometimes I drop it down to 2nd when I'm in 5th and it won't go to 2nd and will just drop according to the RPM's, one gear at a time at certain shift points and will finally go to 1st gear by itself. It's practice, practice, practic, until you stop shifting like a five speed. I love it.
Bob

Thanks, I think you're right. My guess is they would have engineered it to be more or less idiot-proof.

When I try to downshift... like approaching a light, it never shifts quick enough for me.

There's a lag in the V, but not in the regular XLR. You have to learn to anticipate. I would be gunning it and then knowing I was going to hit the brakes, downshift the minute I get off the gas. Sounds cruel but it works.When I try to downshift... like approaching a light, it never shifts quick enough for me.