The idea was to encourage calmer acceleration and reduce unnecessary high-RPM driving. Drivers who used the “E” setting
were essentially telling the vehicle that fuel efficiency mattered more than quick acceleration
For many people, this created a noticeably more relaxed driving experience.
The engine remained quieter.
Gear changes often happened sooner.
The vehicle felt less eager to race through the rev range.
In an era before advanced electronic transmission management became common, that simple letter gave drivers an easy way to influence how their car behaved
Older cars also provided a very different connection between the driver and the machine.
Today, many driving decisions are handled automatically by
computers. Modern transmissions constantly analyze throttle position, speed, engine load, road conditions, and numerous other factors before choosing the most efficient gear.
