I was having this dream last night about Knight-Rider and I decided I was gonna build myself a virtual vehicle. I will begin with the transmission and I thought I would ask you guys before posting this in another vahicle forum.
The transmission would be both manual and automatic. These already exist in certain cars I have been in like the Hyundai and the pacific, also I've seen them in some Hondas. I have also seen the lambourghini has the transmission controls next to the steering wheel but with two sticks. One to increase and one to decrease. But in my concept fantasy car the trans would look like this.
The gears would be separated by a switch next to the hand brake that when set to manual, would release the clutch pedal. It would restrict you from setting it back to automatic unless you use your foot to raise the cluitch pedal, (not depress it like you usually would to change gears) and click it in place. I am also willing to substitute The Neutral position of the gear above to the center of the gear console for symmetry.
When in Manual mode, the gears 3-4-5 and Reverse would function just as they should in a manual vehicle. But when in auto mode, They would be replaced by the automatic functions and you would be unable to change to any other gears besides the reverse option. That is available for both settings.
So, this fantasy car of mine would possibly even cost me fantasy money. Now, have at it. What do you think? How practical is this and how much do you think it might cost?