Toyota has revealed that the traditional 'boxes are proving difficult to match to the complex power cycles of new petrol/electric hybrid engines, and so are likely to be unsuitable for its hi-tech traction control systems, too. Cars such as the new Auris, which currently come in manual form, will eventually only be available as autos.
The firm's latest concepts, including the LF-A, IS-F and FT-HS hybrid,all offer automatic or sequential manuals, which industry insiders believe signals the end of stick-shift cars.
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