Well, I guess different car makers have different names, shifttronic, tiptronic, etc.
Its a type of transmission, that when you slide the shifter to the right or left, you can shift the car like a manual without using a clutch.
I shortened the url, heres a link to a pic:
http://www.paulding....url.cgi/12658.3It allows you to reve (sp?) up the engine higher than a automatic transmission would usually allow you to. It can make the car a good amount quicker to drive.
BTW, Hyundais, BMWs, Mercedes, volvos, saabs, nissan 350z, maxima, altima, a bunch of cars have them. They make driving a automatic not so stinking boring. As you can tell, I hate driving automatics, its just too boring.