Anyone heard of it? I was just looking at the Canadian Lexus website and saw this "E-Shift" thing. This is what is says about it:

Like a Formula 1 racing car, E-Shift allows the automatic transmission to be shifted manually using buttons on the steering wheel. Down-shift buttons are located on the topside of the steering wheel. Up-shift buttons are on the back. When using E-Shift, both the "M"mode indicator and the gear selected are lit up in the E-Shift display.

I thought that was interesting. I also noticed that they listed a 0 to 60 mph time. 5.8 seconds. That's for the GS430.

 

My '02 SLK AMG has a 5 speed manu-matic where you shift my moving the gearshift left and right. I find myself using it all the time

 

E-Shift is nothing new to Lexus. First came available on the GS400 from 98-00 and discontinued n 01-05. But E-shift was adapted to the GS300 starting 01 to 05. E-shift has also been available on the IS300 since 2001 to current.

E-Shift is not a true sequential auto tranny but it is a sport shift type of control where you can shift at desired RPM points. Current E-Shift controls on Lexus models don't allow you to shift into 1st gear. Starts from 2, 3, 4 and ends at 5. When E-Shift is in the 2 mode, it automatically starts from 1st gear and only allows it to upshift to 2nd. Also the 0-60 times for the GS and etc are acheived using regular D (Drive) mode. M-Mode = E-shift actually is slower through straight line acceleration, but definitely helpful in the twisties.

 

based on my use of the manual shifting for the automatic on my SLK I agree with your thoughts, quicker to let the transmission do it's job but nice to be able to up/down on the twisties.

 

Thanks for that info. I'm not as familiar with Lexus' products as I am with it's competitors. Actually this is the first Lexus that I have ever been interested in knowing anything about and possibly may make the decision to buy one, but who knows. I haven't seen any real reviews of it's driving characteristics.

 

Yeah I personally wish the E-shift system was more of a column sport shift like the LS430 and the RX330 Performance Package. But it is fun to have from time to time. Definitely worth waiting for in just a month from now!

 

Every car in this segment has something like this: BMW calls it Steptronic, MB Gmatic, Acura Sport shift, etc. They all do the same thing - allow the driver to shift the AT themselves. The only real difference is the number of gears (5 for Infiniti and Acura, 6 for most, and 7 for newer MB), the limits at which it will let you shift and the method of shifting (on the wheel or the gear lever).

 

really?! i personally love the way it is on the gs400 and the is300 -- on the steering wheel. i think this is easier to use and drive can keep better concentration.

maybe coz' i am driving my is300 5 speed (real manual) too. if i have to do the e shift on the shifter, i probably will keep on doing it wrong coz' i would think it's a real manual

 

I like it on the steering wheel, or like the paddel shifters on the Ferrari. BMWs and Acuras version are okay as well. I guess its because I played too much Grand Turismo on PS2 with the steering wheel Aside from that though I don't like it on the shifter column. I've never liked using it when it was down there in past cars, but when they are around the steering wheel area I seem to feel more comfortable using it.

 

When it comes to MB 7G tranny you can only manushift to 6th gear. There is no 7th.

Same like E-Shift on IS and prev GS. It went from 2nd to 5th which I strongly believe was the marketing move. 5th gear in E-Shift was missing and car actually went from 1st to 4th in Manual mode.

 

Toyota/Lexus engineers cancelled out the selection of 1st gear in E-Shift M-Mode because 1st is too short in the 5spd ECT-i to control. Which is why when you put it in "2" mode, you start in first, and stays in 2nd gear. Same exact scenario for the rest of the gears, put it in "3", it will start in 1st gear and only upshift to third gear. Same for 4 and 5. Gears will always default to first gear and only upshift to the gear you selected.