Very well put together post
While I am all about manual cars, and will be for as long as possible because its my choice, I think I totally understand what you are explaining here Moto-P. I first got the hint when the initial reviews came out, explaining how surprisingly quick the car shifts, how good it feels etc.
What I gather from Your post is that this cars transmition is great and it has been setup with enthusiasts and great spirited driving in mind regardless if you pick manual or auto