Guys, speaking from eperience, the new 6 speed is acceptable. I would not be bold enough to say the 6th gear is absolutely useless, but once you are doing highway speeds you can see the benefit of it. And yes agree, it only lowers rpm a few hundred, but it makes the cruise much more relaxing. I can drive on the Hume Hwy / M5 all the way from Campbelltown to the airport in 6th, with the exception of accelerating once past the toll booths.