Placement of Paddles

[Sparro]

Since we already know the C8 is coming with only a DCT I am wondering if GM will get the paddles right, like a true exotic. Ferrari's and Lambo's have big paddles mounted to the steering column and not the steering wheel. Most North American cars that "try" do do paddles usually have the little dinky ones mounted to wheel. Anybody have info on the size and placement of the paddles on the C8? I hope they do it right.

[Frenzy36]

I hope they at least make the connecting mechanism of metal or something as I have broken 2 of them off in my ATS-V and they are proud of them as expensive to replace. The ones GM put in the Caddy are really cheap plastic and I even broke one just bumping it with my knee getting in the car.

[John]

From what we have seen, the ME’s paddles are polished aluminum. Also in the same and only picture we have of this part of the interior that I can remember, two folks said from looking at it that the paddles are column mounted (but above my pay grade to make that determination).

[Sparro]

Polished aluminum and column mounted sound good. I hope it's true... and I hope they are big.

[Sparro]

These are some carbon paddles in a 458 Italia

[Foreverfuelie]

Wow, in my little pea brain, I see column mounted paddles as potential scissors,knives, remaining stationary in position, while hands/fingers gripping tightly to the wheel rim in aggressive (read track time) driving rotating with the wheel. Most folks don’t reposition their hands to trigger a shift mid corner. I just see a liability for injury. Different strokes, or in this case different shifts, for different folks.🤔

[John]

These are some carbon paddles in a 458 Italia

As long as they look and feel like quality. NO plastic ones please.

[JB]

No cheap little plastic paddles ....

gM would get roasted by the automotive press...

my guess big paddles and aluminum in material and as part of a carbon fiber package...the paddle material upgrades to carbon fiber for those willing to pay

the new edict of offering pricey options to increase profits for those willing to check off the option lists...

[Sparro]

The other thing I'm hoping for with the DCT along with proper paddles is a real manual mode where the car WILL NOT shift for you if you don't pull on the paddles.

[Sparro]

Here's a picture of the paddles in the new Huracan Evo. Column mounted of course!

[Sparro]

Do you guys think the paddles will be "replaceable" like these Ferrari 488 paddles?

[P-Tree]

Wow, in my little pea brain, I see column mounted paddles as potential scissors,knives, remaining stationary in position, while hands/fingers gripping tightly to the wheel rim in aggressive (read track time) driving rotating with the wheel. Most folks don’t reposition their hands to trigger a shift mid corner. I just see a liability for injury. Different strokes, or in this case different shifts, for different folks.🤔

Just curious why you think stationary paddles would be more dangerous that moving ones? Also curious how you could injure yourself? Not being facetious, I'm just not seeing where the concern is coming from. If they're on the column, you always know where they are. Main purpose of the column mount is you always know where the upshift (usually right) and downshift (usually left) are. You don't have to think about how many times the steering wheel turned and what relative position the paddles are in reference to your steering input.

Having previously owned a DCT with column mounted paddles, it's pretty nice.

The other thing I'm hoping for with the DCT along with proper paddles is a real manual mode where the car WILL NOT shift for you if you don't pull on the paddles.

Agreed, the option is nice. But, I do want the option to upshift at that perfect redline moment automatically. The new Hurracan Evo is ONLY full manual, and many pubs have commented how it's difficult to shift properly at the track, as the engine revs quickly (go figure ) and they routinely bounce off the limiter. Keeping it in 2nd or 3rd on some windy back roads is fun tough

[Sparro]

Lets not forget rev matching downshifts. If they do their DCT right, it should be great.

[dweaver]

Just curious why you think stationary paddles would be more dangerous that moving ones? Also curious how you could injure yourself? Not being facetious, I'm just not seeing where the concern is coming from. If they're on the column, you always know where they are. Main purpose of the column mount is you always know where the upshift (usually right) and downshift (usually left) are. You don't have to think about how many times the steering wheel turned and what relative position the paddles are in reference to your steering input.

While I prefer to row my own (my biggest hangup on the C8 actually), I find myself in agreement here. The paddles on column mounted DCTs are far enough away you aren't going to accidentally hit them as you are sawing back and forth in corners, at least in every car I've driven with them. I much prefer column mounted because at my "local" tracks, there are a couple of corners you have to shuffle steer a little (unless the rack is VERY fast). That would make it easy to loose track of where the correct paddle is, and in each of the corners I am thinking of, with DCT I would either have a late downshift or an early upshift (gearing dependent of course).

[meyerweb]

Someone please explain: what is the benefit of column mounted paddles? If I'm upshifting as I'm coming out of a corner, why would I want to have to move my hand from where it is on the wheel, and leave the steering input to just one arm / hand? At Ron Fellows, one of the things they constantly reminded students is DON'T MOVE YOUR HANDS! Position them at 9 and 3, and leave them there.