An apparatus adapted to provide a push button transmission or a manual stick shift transmission experience, as selected by a motor vehicle operator, includes an electronic transmission selector, a foldable, electronic shift knob, displaceable between a stowed position and a deployed position, and a mechanical shift action module. The mechanical shift action module is connected to the foldable, electronic shift knob and provides the feel of a stick shift mechanically connected to the gearbox of the transmission of the motor vehicle.

A control device for a vehicle, the vehicle includes a transmission provided in a power transmission path between a drive power source and drive wheels. The control device includes an electronic control unit configured to i) shift the transmission according to traveling conditions, ii) switch a driving mode for running the vehicle between autonomous driving under autonomous driving control, and manual driving based on driving operation of a driver, and iii) shift the transmission such that a shift time required for shifting of the transmission during the manual driving is shorter than a shift time required for shifting of the transmission during the autonomous driving.

A gear shift device (1) of a steering wheel group (500) of a vehicle operatively connects to a gearbox group configurable in an automatic shift mode and a manual shift mode. The gear shift device (1) includes a paddle (10), pushable by the driver between an inactive position and an active position in which it commands a gear shift action of the gearbox group. The gear shift device (1) also includes a control element (20) having a touch interface device (200) located on the paddle (10), suitable to be actuated by the driver to command a plurality of operating modes of the gearbox group.

A control device for a vehicle, the vehicle includes a transmission provided in a power transmission path between a drive power source and drive wheels. The control device includes an electronic control unit configured to i) shift the transmission according to traveling conditions, ii) switch a driving mode for running the vehicle between autonomous driving under autonomous driving control, and manual driving based on driving operation of a driver, and iii) shift the transmission such that a shift time required for shifting of the transmission during the manual driving is shorter than a shift time required for shifting of the transmission during the autonomous driving.

The present invention relates to a launch control unit for selectively engaging a revised shift control strategy. The revised shift control strategy is operable to control an internal combustion engine and/or an automatic transmission of a motor vehicle. The launch control unit can be configured to receive a brake signal from a foot brake and a torque demand from a throttle pedal. In use, the launch control unit is operable to engage said revised shift control strategy upon receipt of a torque demand greater than or equal to an upper torque threshold within a predefined time period of receipt of a brake signal less than or equal to a lower brake threshold.