__________________1st. gear________________________final drive_______
____________________ratio_________________________ ___ratio_________


CROSSFIRE__________4.46:1_____6000 RPM = 31 MPH_____3.27:1______________

BMW M3____________4.23:1_____8000 RPM = 40 MPH_____3.62:1______________

NEW MIATA_________3.82:1_____6750 RPM = 31 MPH_____4.10:1______________

INFINITY G35________3.79:1_____6600 RPM = 38 MPH_____3.54:1______________

RX-8_______________3.76:1_____9000 RPM = 39 MPH_____4.44:1______________

SOLSTICE___________3,75:1_____6800 RPM = 35 MPH_____3.91:1______________

NEON SRT-4_________3.65:1_____6600 RPM = 36 MPH_____3.55:1______________

AUDI TT____________3.42:1_____6600 RPM = 34 MPH_____4.20:1_______________

CAYMAN____________3.31:1_____7200 RPM = 44 MPH_____3.88:1_______________

ACURA RSX TYPE S___3.27:1_____8000 RPM = 38 MPH_____4.77:1_______________


These are a few statistics of cars we should all be familiar with. As you can see, the XF has the dubious honor of having the "lowest" 1st. gear ratio of the bunch, but the "highest" final drive ratio too. Of course tire size needs to be figured into the equation also. The Miata is the only car that shares the Crossfires limited 1st. gear range at red line. Obviously we have nobody else to blame, or thank for these numbers except Mercedes Benz.
In my opinion, MB gave this drive train set up this particular 1st. gear ratio to compensate for the otherwise "high" final drive ratio. As annoying as it sometimes is to run out of RPM so quickly in 1st. gear, it does afford us the opportunity to "pull a hole shot" on some other higher HP. cars at the traffic lights. (Has anybody got a 60' time on a non-supercharged XF yet?) With the way the XF hooks up, it should be pretty good.
I chose a manual 6sp. over the automatic because I like to shift, after all, it is still a "sports car" right? But I know it probably feels just as "sporty" to some others with the automatic, to each his own. But one thing I've learned over the years, that when it comes to a sports cars, allowances sometimes need to be made. So I pretty much live with the short 1st. gear, and accept it as part of the "character" of the Crossfire.