[Blue]

Why is reverse next to 1st, and not under 5th???

I can't follow the logic.

[Lakes]

I was driving a truck today, Reverse was in front of 1st, don't really matter as long as it goes back when you want it to.
cheers mate

[magicRob]

Depends on the manufacturer...

http://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/Manual_transmission#Gear_selection

Usually European (read German) vehicles have this layout. i30 was designed by Hyundai's European team in Germany I suspect the Kia C'eed has the same layout

[Blue]

Thanks Rob,

Good info.

Hey, pretty good company on this list too :

This is another five-speed shift pattern, which can be found in BMWs, some Audis, Volkswagens, Opels, Hyundais, and more:

[magicRob]

I know VW have used that layout for a long time. Took a while to get used to after driving the more usual manual layout, but had driven a Polo many years ago with the same layout...

[Dazzler]

Even the Wifes Tiida has the same pattern as the i30 ...

[ozsnowman]

it leaves room for the 6th gear that the diesel really needs!

[Blue]

it leaves room for the 6th gear that the diesel really needs!

Next model/update, for sure !
Along with the 2.0 litre (R Diesel!).

I want one !

[Shambles]

The 2.0L diesel I test drove had 6 forward gears. Can't say it needs a 6th here, or I wonder if the gearing is different in Aus

[Blue]

I have read reports that the 1.6 CRDi is the preferred diesel (We don't get the 2 litre Diesel here).

Personally, I think the extra gear would shift the "economical" speed to something more commonly driven at (here in oz at least) 100 - 110 kph.
The car certainly has the torque to handle it.
Bearing in mind, you can always leave it in 5th for the 80 - 90 kph speed zones.

Here are the Oz Manual ratio's Shambles:
Gear    Petrol   Diesel
1         3.308   3.636
2         1.962   1.962
3         1.257   1.189
4         0.976   0.844
5         0.778   0.660
Rev     3.583   3.583
Final    4.188   3.941

[whaleshark]

i like the R next to 1st. it makes sense. you need to stop to go either direction (forward/reverse), and when u shift to 1st or R, it's the same shift with the exception of the lifting up for R.

also less chances of screwing things up... imagine going at 100km/h and suddenly shift into R, thinking there's a six gear 

also, i think it's easier to built it that way, might be wrong, but the 1st gear is used to move the stationary vehicle and when u shift into R, i reckon there's an inverter applied to 1st. my guess....

also just to find out, for diesel, what the rev u shift to the 2nd gear. I find myself shifting at around 2000 ~2300 rev. at 65km/h i could shift to 5 gear.

cheers matey