Toyota has revealed...

Toyota has revealed that the traditional "boxes are proving difficult to match to the complex power cycles of new petrol/electric hybrid engines, and so are likely to be unsuitable for its hi-tech traction control systems, too. Cars such as the new Auris, which currently come in manual form, will eventually only be available as autos.

Gradual withdrawal of conventional manuals is being driven by another less obvious force, with sales across the world dropping as congested roads convince drivers to steer away from traditional transmissions

The firm"s latest concepts, including the LF-A, IS-F and FT-HS hybrid,all offer automatic or sequential manuals, which industry insiders believe signals the end of stick-shift cars.

Gradual withdrawal of conventional manuals is being driven by another less obvious force, with sales across the world dropping as congested roads convince drivers to steer away from traditional transmissions. Among the new technologies on offer are torque converting "boxes, robotised manuals that use hydraulic motors to switch ratios, and CVT and i-CVT units that employ special chain and belt driven set-ups.

However, even some of these systems could be under threat, as the speeds offered by fully electric engines far exceed those offered by petrol and diesel powerplants.

Meanwhile, BMW looks set to introduce an eight-speed automatic gearbox to its 7-Series range for 2009. The set-up - similar to the seven-speed offering on the firm"s M5 - will put BMW on a par with Lexus" multi-cogged LS460.