[Moto-P]

The argument for what's fast and slow really doesn't have an easy answer. The transmission is actually a very small part of what makes a car go around the raceway with many corners. Large portion of the difference in dynamic driving at near limits though is the driver abilities.

Having said this, most traditional AT's even today are much less adaptable to the raceway as it is designed for ease of driving, comfortable shifting, wide range of use and speeds, and efficiency, for any normal car. However, today with advanced manufacturing and design, the sports-AT as we call it, has come a long way from the usual slush box. In the case of the FRS (BRZ/86) the transmission has lockup from 2-6th, it's programmed electronically to produce a very predictable shifts both in engagement of torque and shift timing, and in both up and downward shifts, utilizing the full range of RPM available. So in practical use, aside from the lack of ability of manually shock the drive system, it is very close to the performance and operation of the manual even on the raceway.

There is a big difference at the top 3 gears, between the MT and AT on the FRS... and that is perhaps done to make the AT a wider use roadcar, where efficiency at top speeds, as well as comfort, noise, and all factors combined makes for an all around car. The MT is much more dedicated for sporting roles and has closely packed transmission for having the right gear for every corner of the raceway.

With this being said though, and like I said in the first paragraph, all these data crunching is done on the given assumptions that the driver is of professional level that is proficient on the raceway at the car's very limits. For other less capable drivers, the manual does present the driver with a bit more tasks on the road, and extra precision is needed for rapid shifts, while braking on thresholds, or at the tip toe loads of each contact patch of the tires. For most of the truly modern AT's like this locked torque converter unit 6AT of the FRS, and many electronic clutch type sequential Semi-AT, the drivers rarely do go faster with a full manual, given all other factors are the same. This is why even Formula One cars, WRC Rally cars, etc, are all equipped with paddle shifts and electronic actuators instead of third pedals.

Yes, in theory the AT is much slower in the FRS due to much more spread in the gears. However, for most drivers who are not keen on the raceway condition driving, the smoother shifts of the fully automated box that can think on its own and assist the driver often does make up.

I won't say one being better than another though, as that is owner's prefernce and I prefer the manual too for cars that will be used on raceways often. But the AT does have its strong reasons for the FRS in particular, since it is a better all around gear-ratio for the street, and having all 6 gears, the same number as the MT, the sporting element is not as lost as one may believe like most other cars. It's actually quite intact and Aisin and Team 86 engineers spent a lot of time on this one too.