There is no discussion. A8 all around faster . I will say that the people who have the m6 will tell you that that are funnier. Witch that very well could be true.

 

The more experienced driver of either wins.

 

And the winner is .....!!!lol. Great answer!!

 

In two replies,
1st do you have any statistics to base the A8 as faster on a road course?
2nd good answer and agreed yes the better driver may win, there is a ton of drag racing stats but I haven't found side by side road racing of any kind. I recently watched Randy Pobst run an identical car auto vs manual back to back in an atsv with the auto taking the win by a slim margin

 

Does anyone have evidence or footage for the above claimed Hellcat auto winning on a road course?

 

By the way fixed parameter drag racing is somewhat boring in itself imho
The whole M6 being funner applies equally to an auto when actual driving skill sets are employed like using the steering wheel.

 

The difference in the track configuration would make the biggest margins of difference in shift points .

 

With my M-6 I know I could beat 99.9% of Automatics--but I also have a lot of track time on road courses..

 

With my M-6 I know I could beat 99.9% of Automatics--but I also have a lot of track time on road courses..

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But do you think you would be faster with an A8

 

yes

 

Proof please, is this question going to lay in theory or can it be answered with statistics like drag racing

 

How can it ever be answered unless the same person has a manual and an A8 on the same track the same day.

That said, IF its faster having a manual than in the A8 you can just use the paddle shifters

 

I would think longer straight aways would favor the Auto, if driver experience is the same on the track or road course!! I will be looking forward to the evidence provided on this thread!! Very interesting!!

 

How can (2) runs even by the same driver ever be the same for comparisons sake; if said driver owns the M6 and is very comfortable running the road course, how then, would it be similar conditions for them in an A8?

Straight line is one thing - traction is THE only limiting factor for the A8 as the computer does everything while the driver keeps the wheel straight.

Road Course? hundreds of variables that can never be accurately reproduced...the only answer has already been given "The better driver wins"

 

Ha, I think it is hilarious it took us this long to consider the question. I agree with most above on the road course, it certainly will be a drivers race. Cannot wait to match up against a manual on a track someday to discuss this, that would be a blast! Actually, can't wait a couple of months us here to line up against anything on a road course. Looks like my first "track day" of the season is May 8 at BIR. My "private" Brainerd Performance School coaching sessions start then.

You manual drivers, keep sharp, don't be missing any shift gates at the wrong time at the beginning of a long straight! Acceleration at the rates we are moving out of corners is real tough to make up.

 

Instructors at road America told me their stick corvettes are faster around the track than the auto counterpart.

 

And the Viper is faster than the Corvette; Vette and Challenger are different animals, because stick Vette is faster than Auto Vette has nothing to do with the A8 vs M6 discussion.

 

automatics win races not manuals [says an A8 owner]

just kidding all... the truth is that ZF makes a great trans and so does Tremec... i agree it will depend on the driver, conditions, and overall experience... we all know computers (some) are faster than human reaction times but if the human operating the A8 doesn't know how/when to shift the trans properly it is almost useless [when in complete manual mode]... personally i bought the A8... tried the M6... and i don't regret my choice... from an "upgrade" point of view i regret it only because I would like a cooler shifter like in some of the other automatic challengers.

 

The A8 is much quicker on the shift, more gears and no throttle disengage between shifts.. how can it not be faster or more responsive? Why is auto used in most all the exotic high line automobiles and in indy etc..? Who still stick shifts? Now is it more fun or engaging.. yes..

 

I have always owned manuals for cars I wanted to autox or do track days with until now. I drove both versions for the Hellcat and the shift speed and track mode manual downshift rev matching were impressive enough that I chose the automatic. That is because 95% of the time it will be on the street and for that usage to me the auto is the obvious choice with a Hellcat. The 1st and 2nd gear of the auto are big selling points for me. The manual does not have the right gear ratios for the street IMO.

However I would still choose a manual for track only. There are still some rough downshifts with the auto that can result in some scary moments on track if I was 10/10ths racing. If the track is wet I don't have confidence I could use track mode up shifts either. With a manual I can tailor my shift aggressiveness corner by corner if I want.

 

going to post a couple youtube videos here,
Hopefully the head to head with Carlos Lagos and Randy Pobst in the 2015 corvettes where Randy pulls the fastest laps with the auto corvette,
and second the atsv Cadillac episode of Randy pobst driving both auto vs manual of the same car back to back,

 

Here is Randy Pobst running identical (except transmissions) ATS-V Cadillacs on the same day.
Its an episode of "The Racing LIne" that Randy has been doing, tutorial type stuff and very entertaining, this one was on shifting.
One ATS-V with an Automatic and the other with a manual with the simple goal of determining which is faster.
Dang good video.
Automatic for the win!

 

Here is a video of the 2015 Corvette one auto the other manual on the same track same day.
Only problem with this video is the manual car is driven by Carlos Lago
And the Automatic car is driven by Randy Pobst (the better driver imho) Randy's Corvette not only has the auto but it also has the best aero package, a step up from Carlos's car.
Still a good comparison and a fun video
Auto for the win here too.

 

what I like about the Cadillac video is that Cadillac brought the auto car to the track simply to compare both cars, Dodge could do this too,

 

If there's anybody out there who would let Randy Pobst drive there A8 car on a road course I'd be honored to have him drive my M6.
Heck I'll spring for new tires on both cars for the day to at least settle that parameter. Let me know! Who knows motor trend might want to do it,
Or even Roadkill they're sponsored by Dodge now and Randy often appears there Lets right some letters!

 

Here is a video of the 2015 Corvette one auto the other manual on the same track same day.
Only problem with this video is the manual car is driven by Carlos Lago
And the Automatic car is driven by Randy Pobst (the better driver imho) Randy's Corvette not only has the auto but it also has the best aero package, a step up from Carlos's car.
Still a good comparison and a fun video
Auto for the win here too.

Randy, drives a great lap around Atlanta. Too bad they did not show power/brake pedal positions. Lots of smooth throttle as is needed was there. So he set the bar for anyone doing time trials down here...good luck!

 

Proof please, is this question going to lay in theory or can it be answered with statistics like drag racing

on the right course an M6 will not only be faster, but ALOT faster--gearing and torque curves can be advantageous to manuals.
pick your poison..

 

Maybe!! Depends who's driving.. Right??? Lol

 

If there's anybody out there who would let Randy Pobst drive there A8 car on a road course I'd be honored to have him drive my M6.
Heck I'll spring for new tires on both cars for the day to at least settle that parameter. Let me know! Who knows motor trend might want to do it,
Or even Roadkill they're sponsored by Dodge now and Randy often appears there Lets right some letters!

i'd do it... let me know when you set it up

 

Nobody drives mine!!! Except my Boss(wife)...!!!lol