Hi exseafarer,
Welcome to the fold. I have owned a C4 VTR+ with the (then known as) EGS - electronic gearbox system - for over 6 years and yes, the 'auto' gear change does take a little getting used to but you find that you get tuned to the gearbox and after a while you anticipate when it's going to change and ease off the throttle a little, which does make the change pretty smooth.
I don't personally think the gear change is that bad anyway, even without easing off the throttle and I think it should be viewed as a happy medium between a manual and a fuel hungry full auto.
I have had 4 fully automatic cars before this C4 and I am more than happy with the ETG gear change.
I have ordered a Cactus Flair ETG, after a one hour solo test drive, which I learned today has been made and should be in my sticky fingers in around 2 weeks, I hope it gives me the same reliable service as my C4.
I hope this has put your mind at rest a little, it's not an automatic but it's close enough for me.
Regards, Chris.