What is the comparison of the iMT transmission in the Sonet Anniversary Edition with manual and automatic transmission?

Intelligent Manual Transmission (iMT) is a relatively new technology in the Indian market and the Kia Sonet Anniversary Edition comes with this option. The intention of this transmission type is to combine the control of a manual gearbox with the convenience of an automatic. It’s a clutchless set up where the driver still selects his own gears, but without the requirement of a clutch pedal to operate. The driving experience, long term reliability and effectiveness of this system compared to conventional manual and automatic transmissions has carried on a debate in the car enthusiast community. It's been roundly praised for its ease of use in city traffic, but others have questioned whether it's sporty enough to engage enthusiast drivers. It also raises questions around its maintenance costs and long term durability, as it’s a new technology with fewer long term data available.