Tiptronic

Tiptronic is a trademarked automatic gearbox with manual override owned by Porsche, who licenses it for use by others such as Audi, Nissan and Volkswagen.

The Tiptronic system enables the driver to select a wholly automatic mode, or to choose to override the automatic mode. This is done by moving the shift lever into a second shift gate equipped with two spring-loaded positions: Upshift and Downshift. On some cars, these operations can also be commanded by pushbuttons or rocker switches installed on the steering wheel.

Although the system allows the driver a certain degree of control, most Tiptronic implementations will still make some shifts automatically, primarily to protect the engine and transmission.

Other manufacturers use Tiptronic-like systems under different names. For example:

• BMW: Steptronic
• Citroen: Sensodrive
• Honda: S-matic
• Hyundai: Shiftronic, H-Matic
• Jaguar: Bosch Mechatronic
• Lexus: E-Shift
• Mazda: Sport AT
• Mercedes-Benz: TouchShift
• Peugeot: 2Tronic
• Saab : Sentronic
• Volvo: Geartronic

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