I think the button shifting is kick ass and perhaps I'll own one some day. I think it will sell well in Europe. Obviously it won't do too well in North America.
Strangely enough, here in Europe I'd bet the prevalent feeling is exactly the opposite
For decades automatic cars were seen as "an American thing", and 99% (ok, I'm pulling this number out of my own arse, take it with a grain of salt) of the cars were manuals. Most manufacturers didn't even offer automatics, even as an option, for the vast majority of its models. Only very recently, say, 5 or 6 years ago, with the advent of technologically advanced automatics (with 5, 6 or even 7 gears) it has begun to gain acceptance, but still the manuals outsell them by orders of magnitude. So, and even though we're not talking about an automatic here, by any stretch, I'd venture most of the European target audience would likely say "Nah, I'll pass, that's more of an American thing, isn't it?". Other europeans please chime in and tell me what a prick I am, now
That being said, I'm not sure what to make of it, I'd have to try one first to make up my mind. Maybe I'll love it, maybe I'll hate it. But I won't know until I ride it, so at this point all this commotion I see is just mental masturbation -- sure, it may feel good, but it doesn't accomplish anything.
