Selespeed

{{Short description|Automated manual gearbox}}

Selespeed is the name of an automated manual transmission used in Alfa Romeo cars,[https://www.magnetimarelli.com/press_room/news/directly-formula-1 Directly from the Formula 1 - Magneti Marreli] developed by Italian company Magneti Marelli and made by Graziano Trasmissioni.{{Cite web|url=https://www.oerlikon.com/ecomaXL/get_blob.php?name=Transaxle_cards.pdf&download=1 | title=The conventional driveline robotized - Oerlikon}}

The Selespeed is an automated manual gearbox with an electronic clutch. Technically, it consists of the standard (manual) 6-speed gearbox with the standard clutch and adds an electronically controlled hydraulic (robotic) that actuates both gear and clutch.

In its current incarnation, it can be operated via paddle-shifters from the steering wheel or via a "joystick" like a conventional sequential manual gearbox, used in touring cars. The right-hand paddle-shifter shifts upwards and the left side downwards. The gearbox also has a city-mode that self-shifts in a manner similar to a traditional automatic gearbox.

File:2000 Alfa Romeo 156 Selespeed Twin Spark sedan (2011-07-05) 04.jpg

File: Alfa 156 JTS.jpg

Selespeed was first introduced in 1999 in the Alfa Romeo 156.{{Cite web|url=http://www.fiatautopress.com/index.php?method=cartelle&action=zoom&id=20041220314081583da688bf3dbbeee34b924a74271f8bc4|title=Press release 20 January 1999|access-date=2007-05-08|work=fiatautopress.com|url-status=dead|archive-url=https://web.archive.org/web/20130327081230/http://www.fiatgroupautomobilespress.com/welcome.php|archive-date=27 March 2013|df=dmy-all}} At that time it was the first car in its class with such a robotized gearbox. This first version had buttons on the steering wheel for changing gear. With the facelift of the 156 in 2002, these buttons were replaced by paddle-shifters (first seen in the Alfa Romeo 147) due to a new steering wheel design.

During normal driving, it is possible to use either the paddles or the joystick but if the driver tries to use paddles during joystick mode the joystick has higher priority.SPH Magazines (January 2007). Torque. SPH Magazines. pp. 22–. ISSN 0218-7868 The speed of the gear change depends on the engine revs. If the engine has more than 5000 rpm and the throttle is pressed more than 60%, the change is faster. The system also has a rev limiter to avoid over-revving (in GTA models this behavior is removed). Downshift is accompanied by automatic rev-matching. This gearbox is made for sportive driving but the city-mode allows using it as an automatic transmission in city driving.