No, Manual, Shifting. yes you read that right, the netcode is sluggish, missions instead of freeroam. very very pretty.
I only wish they would have spent the same time working on game fundamentals, like a responsive net-code, trying to constantly steer / counter-steer to keep from hitting the walls during time runs is near impossible, touch the wall just a single time and your more or less out of contention for the gold. this game was designed for console players who have the luxury of analog control.
I spent a good 10 minutes trying to find the ShiftUP/Down option in the controls configuration, before I realized that they never included that in the options. HOW; how can any driving game consider itself a driving game, that lacks basic GEAR change?
a complete lack of car customization; I may be rice burner fan, but I have liked the ability to modify the cars used in all of the NFS games. I realize that that was a modern edition of the NFS world, (underground +, i get it) but some form of visual and mechanical upgrades have become expected in racers; and this just doesn't do it.