As many others have said, who really cares if an automatic is a couple of tenths quicker over a distance? Do those tenths actually make it a more enjoyable drive? Can you even notice them from the driver's seat? What you can notice is how much more boring the automatic makes the drive. I can only imagine those drivers who don't like to actually have to work a clutch pedal and gearshift will be overjoyed when they can buy a car that automatically takes care of those other boring tasks like turning and braking. "Look, my car is two seconds quicker over that three mile course and I don't have to do anything - just sit here in the seat! Isn't technology wonderful?" A properly executed heel and toe downshift is rewarding. Having the car do the work for you is boring.