Running head: SEQUENTIAL GEARBOXESSummaryThis article will discuss the technology of sequential gearboxes. A relatively new technology, the sequential gearbox has been mainly applied to ATVs, motorcycles and the auto racing industry. Recently, this technology has started to reach passenger cars. There are three main points of discussion; the operation of a manual transmission, the operation of a sequential gearbox and its advantages, as well as its applications today. The sequential gearbox is extremely revolutionary and is only used in high-end passenger cars, but perhaps one day it will become a luxury that the majority of the population can experience.Sequential gearboxesThe gearbox Sequential is a very interesting variation of a manual transmission. This dates back to the beginning of the 20th century; used mainly on motorcycles and other off-road equipment during the World Wars (Italy, 1993). Since then, this transmission has exploded not only in the racing world but also in the passenger car world (Immell, 1994). Sequential gearboxes have many advantages over a standard manual transmission. To better understand the concept of a sequential gearbox, one must know the basics of how a transmission works and then fully understand the benefits of a sequential gearbox. Manual Transmission Basics Cars or motorcycles need transmissions because of the physics of the gasoline engine. First of all, every engine has a red line. A red line is the maximum RPM value above which the engine cannot climb without exploding and sending parts flying everywhere. Transmissions use gears and gear ratios to keep the engine below its redline. Second, transmissions are needed to keep the engine in its peak torque range. Without a transmission, the engine would not be efficient at all, as it would never stay in the most powerful RPM range (Brain, n.d.). The whole philosophy behind shifting is to keep the engine in its best possible operating range. When we talk about transmissions, there are basically two different types; automatic and manual. A manual transmission simply means that the driver must shift their own gears. An automatic transmission selects middle of paper...this will be possible in the future.ReferencesBrain, M. (nd) How sequential transmissions work. Retrieved March 27, 2005, from http://auto.howstuffworks.com/sequential-gearbox.htmBrejcha, M. (1993). Automatic Transmissions and Transaxles: Fundamentals of Operation, 31-50. New Jersey. Prentice Hall. Immell, M. (1994). Automobiles Connecting People and Places, 36-51. San Diego. Lucent Books Inc. Italy. B. (1993). The major automobile manufacturers and their cars. The Oliver Press Inc. Minneapolis. Markus, F. (July 2002). BMW M3 SMG. Car and driver. Retrieved March 26, 2005, from http://www.caranddriver.com/article.asp?section_id=16& article_id=1878&page_number=1Stone, M. (August 2002). Sneaky business. Automotive trend. Retrieved March 26, 2005 from http://motortrend.com/features/11_0208_trans/index.htm