Hyundai Creates the First Manual Transmission Without a Clutch

First Manual Transmission Without a Clutch

The first-ever two-pedal manual transmission just got announced, and the company responsible is yours truly, Hyundai. This new transmission is not a paddle shifter or some other nonsense. This IMT is a real manual where you have to go through the gears; however, there is no clutch pedal involved, so your left leg is just chilling.

Whether you are excited about this new driving revolution or rolling your eyes, this transmission is only available in India as of right now. Here in the States, I suppose most of us just lost interest in driving or manual transmissions and started to go into inescapable debt for SUVs. I still decided to cover this topic because it is genuinely exciting and truly a world’s first.

Driving a Manual in India

In India, driving a manual car is a standard. Although automatics are becoming a bit more popular, it is still a “luxury” to have an automatic transmission car in India. Hyundai’s IMT is brilliant in a place like India, as you still have the feel and satisfaction of a manual without the hassle of the clutch in insane traffic.

The Hyundai Venue will be the first connected SUV in India featuring the six-speed IMT using a Transmission Gear Shift (TGS) Lever with the Intention Sensory, Hydraulic Actuator in conjunction with a Transmission Control Unit (TCU). Below I have included Hyundai’s own words as to how this new IMT system works:

How Hyundai's Intelligent Manual Transmission (IMT) Works

• 1. Transmission Control Unit receives signal from TGS Lever Intention Sensor, indicating drivers desire to change gears.
• 2.TCU sends signal to engage Hydraulic Actuator forming Hydraulic Pressure.
• 3. Hydraulic Pressure is then sent to Concentric Slave Cylinder (CSC) through Clutch Tube.
• 4. Concentric Slave Cylinder uses this pressure to control the clutch and pressure plate, thereby engaging and disengaging the clutch.
• 5. Driver is able to seamlessly shift gears without the need to mechanically operate clutch pedal.

Source: Hyundai

The electromechanical operation of the clutch in the IMT will incorporate all the pleasure of a manual without any of the frustrations of a traditional clutch in traffic. I love the concept but would like to get your thoughts on this new transmission. Would you purchase a vehicle with Hyundai’s IMT clutchless manual?

Hyundai Clutchless Manual Conclusion

Pure driving is a traditional manual where you have to screw with the clutch and get the bite point right for a truly perfect shift. Also, a conventional manual transmission is the real pure way of driving. We all know this, but we still complain about sitting in traffic or when going through a drive-thru. Getting that clutch right in all those little situations is part of driving. But again, let me know in the comments. This IMT is still a massive achievement by Hyundai, and I’m sure many of us thought about why a manual without a clutch didn’t exist before. Well, now it exists.

Read about Hyundai’s plan to make hydrogen power mainstream here.

Kevin Meyn is an automotive journalist for Torque News concentrating on Hyundai content. Kevin is the founder of Exhaust Sports Auto Youtube channel, where he does professional car reviews on new and used vehicles. Through the use of various resources and extended Automotive expertise, Kevin documents the latest in automotive news revolving around Hyundai. Kevin graduated from NC State University studying Supply Chain Management but has had a passion for cars since he was a child. Follow Kevin on Twitter and Instagram @exhaustsports.