I've always wondered what it is about the 6MT transmission that makes it take up so much space. For example, when opting for the 6MT sedan, you lose a lot of space in the whole center console (it's shallower, cupholders are different) and you also lose the rear air vents. It also seems to weigh more, with specs for the 6MT showing about +100 lbs over the normal Journey with 7AT.

Usually, it is always the AT that weighs more. The space issue seems especially baffling considering there's an extra gear in there, as well as a torque converter.

Does anyone know what it is about the design or mechanics that make it so large?

 

I don't think it's just the trans. You got larger rotors all around, beefier brakes, the lsd in the back, larger wheels/tires, different stabilizer bars. All that weight adds up.

As for the shifter, consider this, in the 7at, it's just a lever connected to essentially a switch. With the 6MT, the shifter is part of a mechanical linkage assembly. They probably could have designed it different for more center console storage space, but then again, who drives a manual and needs a cup holder....

If you consider a 2013 journey 7at vs the 6mt sedan, the difference is only ~80lb

 

For the weight difference you could very well be right that it's the other components in the Sport package...but you can still see how it obviously takes up more space. I can't get specs on a G37 RWD 7AT w/ Sport vs. the Sport 6MT, so not sure about that.

I believe it could have resulted from the 6MT being designed around the 370z and G37 coupe (or just carried over from the 350/g35 actually) and they probably had to make it fit in the sedan, and one of the compromises was the center console area.

The space is important to me because the G already doesn't have enough space to put stuff (like when i have coffee and phone in the cupholders) and the rear A/C vents are nice for people with kids in the back.

 

Agreed. That would be a more apples to apples comparison.

I know the door placard has a gross weight spec on it, but i don't recall if it lists curb weights too.

Your point about the trans carry over makes sense too. Why redesign the whole trans when it was easier to just modify the interior to make it fit/work.

As for the AC, mine blows ice cubes. In fact, i usually have to the the temp up some (67-70F) to be comfortable after being in the car for a while (long trip). Otherwise it gets too cold.

Suffice to say, i'm just glad they offer a 4dr with a manual at all. It's real hard to find one these days. Lexus would be great competition if they offered their IS350F with a 6spd.

 

they are under the seats.

 

Those aren't very effective.

 

no one has complained to me even in this unusually hot summer and my kids ride with me quite a bit.

 

as said above, the weight of the 6MT S sedan is not due to the gearbox. it's all the other performance upgrades that add up (calipers, rotors, sways bars, wheels, tires, diff). i bet the S seats weigh more as well. also, the S comes fully loaded so maybe the other luxury crap add weight?

if you throw all these on a 7AT S sedan i'm sure the 7AT would weight a bit more than the 6MT, but i doubt it's easy to find this info.

 

Is S still heavier compare to X?

 

No the X is heavier, at around 3800lbs. The Sport 6MT is about 3700 with the regular Journey RWD at 3600.

 

the 6 speed transmission is physically smaller than the automatic. the body of the car, aside from the cutout for the gear lever in the transmission tunnel, is no different than the automatic. The 6mt center console is also different because it has to accommodate the hand operated parking brake. The automatic is foot operated

 

So the cup holder area is smaller, the center storage console shallower, and no rear a/c vents all because of the e-brake? I doubt it. The e brake explains the cupholders, but not anything else.

 

its the center console itself in the automatic that is much larger. it accommodates the a/c ducts, which come from the dash and snake around the gear lever in that car. If you had a console that tall in the manual, you would need a taller gear lever, which would give you longer throws between gear changes.