2018 C7 ZR1-drivetrain-Auto?-discussion-

[Hog]

Via the online rhetoric is sounds as though the 2018 C7 ZR1 will have an automatic/manual trans option.


If auto equipped, this will be the very 1st ZR-1/ZR1 Vette equipped as such.


GEN 1 C3 ZR-1-manual only- 53 built- LT-1 350ci-370hp gross through 255hpSAE net with 9:1 c/r in '72, 25 in 70(including 8 convertibles), 8 in 71, 20 in '72 The 1971 ZR-2 package was a ZR-1 with the 370hp LT-1 SBC swapped out for a 425hp LS-6 BBC(12 built in with 2 convertibles)


GEN 2 C4 ZR-1-manbual trans only-6922 built over 6 model years-90-95-manual only(LT5-DOHC handbuilt 100% aluminum build Chevrolet Spec, Lotus designed, Mercruiser Marine hand assembled engine-90-92 370hp @ 6000rpm-93-95 405hp @ 5800rpm), 16 fuel injectors, variable geometry 16/8 intake runners, valet key, ZF-6 speed manual 180mph+ held 50+ year old world speed records-the 24 hour record was previously held by a Duesenberg built,race car with a 1,570 cubic inch Curtis V12 aircraft engine, The LT5 powered LT5 record stood for 21 years until 2011


GEN 3 C6 ZR1-2009-2013 manual trans only(dual 260mm clutch disc(ZO6 427 uses single 290mm)-hand built LS9-638hp 2.3 L/rev TVS s/c-9.7psi boost, titanium rods-forged pistons(very rare on modern injected GM engines)-9.1:1c/r) 205mph max speed


GEN 4 C7 ZR1-2018-???? auto/manual???? All C7 Corvette GEN-5 SBC engine builds(460hp/465lb/ft torque LT1 with 11.5:1 compression-direct injection-1st manual transmission equipped engine to fully utilize Variable Valve Timing), 650hp/650lb/ft LT4(10.1:1 compression-direct injection-1.7L/rev TVS-9.4psi boost- forged pistons(the other GM v8 with forged pistons) -engine production brought internal at the Bowling Green Assembly Plant


What are your thoughts?
Should the newest Corvette to use the alphanumeric coding "ZR1" stick with tradition and stay with a manual trans, or break tradition and offer an auto?