I've been reading a couple of mags today (Evo, Car - see Forum, Press Room).
I'm very interested in the:
6-speed close-ratio manual transmission with available “SynchroRev Match,” the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission allowing perfectly matched heel-toe-like downshifting
I think it’s a great idea and I would love to have a system like that but I think the heel-and-toe term is over-used in the press perhaps by people who don’t really understand it and when it’s necessary. I’m sure it’s just journalist talk from Nissan press releases.
Most of the time when down-shifting during normal driving on the road you would not need to heel-and-toe. The main benefit of the heel-and-toe practice is to avoid rear wheel lock-up when braking really hard and downshifting at the same time (especially on wide ratio gearboxes). In my 240 during track sessions I heel-and-toe on entry to the slower corners and also double-de-clutch at the same time if going down into 2nd gear (e.g. Castle Combe chicanes, Donington GP hairpin).
I’m sure 99% of 370Z owners would never heel-and-toe, however they would probably blip the throttle during downshifts especially if about to overtake something. Heel-and-toe is only used when braking. Also the term is misleading as in modern cars the position of the pedals enables you to just roll the side of your shoe onto the throttle pedal whilst pressure from the ball of the foot is being applied to the brake pedal. Vintage cars required a bit more dexterity due to their pedal positioning and spacing and they didn’t have 6 speed close ratio gearboxes with strong synchromesh.
As I say a great idea and I’d like to try a 370Z to see what it’s like in practice.
For reference:
http://www.torquecars.com/articles/heel-toe-gearchange.php
http://www.torquecars.com/articles/double-de-clutching.php
I'm very interested in the:
6-speed close-ratio manual transmission with available “SynchroRev Match,” the world’s first synchronized downshift rev matching manual transmission allowing perfectly matched heel-toe-like downshifting
I think it’s a great idea and I would love to have a system like that but I think the heel-and-toe term is over-used in the press perhaps by people who don’t really understand it and when it’s necessary. I’m sure it’s just journalist talk from Nissan press releases.
Most of the time when down-shifting during normal driving on the road you would not need to heel-and-toe. The main benefit of the heel-and-toe practice is to avoid rear wheel lock-up when braking really hard and downshifting at the same time (especially on wide ratio gearboxes). In my 240 during track sessions I heel-and-toe on entry to the slower corners and also double-de-clutch at the same time if going down into 2nd gear (e.g. Castle Combe chicanes, Donington GP hairpin).
I’m sure 99% of 370Z owners would never heel-and-toe, however they would probably blip the throttle during downshifts especially if about to overtake something. Heel-and-toe is only used when braking. Also the term is misleading as in modern cars the position of the pedals enables you to just roll the side of your shoe onto the throttle pedal whilst pressure from the ball of the foot is being applied to the brake pedal. Vintage cars required a bit more dexterity due to their pedal positioning and spacing and they didn’t have 6 speed close ratio gearboxes with strong synchromesh.
As I say a great idea and I’d like to try a 370Z to see what it’s like in practice.
For reference:
http://www.torquecars.com/articles/heel-toe-gearchange.php
http://www.torquecars.com/articles/double-de-clutching.php
