Simple Tech: Intelligent Manual Transmission
Shashank Singh
Updated: January 13, 2021, 07:45 PM IST
So much has already been spoken about the Intelligent Manual Gearbox or iMT since it was launched in the Hyundai Venue, and later in the Kia Sonet. Marketing calls it intelligent because it can sense when we need to change gears and can operate the clutch for us. All we need to do is shift the gear lever and slot into the next gear. I say it is intelligent because it understands the difference between assistance and intrusion. Allow me to explain.
We have all heard similar things about the gear shifts in AMT (automated manual transmission) gearboxes before. Their popularity soared only recently after their introduction around six years back. Simply because they are in essence a manual gearbox with computers strapped to them, which can operate the clutch and change gear for us, without burning a hole in our pocket, unlike other automatics. So why would one want to go with an iMT which is doing just half the job?