Manual transmissions are becoming more and more rare these days, since more and more new car buyers choose the automatic gearbox in favor of a manual – see our Ed’s verdict on the Golf GTI manual vs DSG.
Lamborghini have already ditched the manual transmission, so did Ferrari and it also rumored that Porsche will abandon the manual gearbox for its performance models. Rumours have now also surface that Audi maybe next to make the chop.
The website for Audi enthusiasts, Fourtitude, reports that the German carmaker won’t offer manual transmissions in next year’s facelifted S4 and S5 in Europe. Audi will keep offering a six-speed manual for the Audi S4 and S5 models in the United States. Fourtitude contacted Barry Hoch, Audi’s product planning manager of Audi of America, who replied:
“They (Europe) lose the manual. We keep the manual! 100% confirmed, although I don’t know what other markets also get to keep it. I don’t want to fear for my life when I leave the office. The manual transmission enthusiasts are… umm… passionate individuals. Save the Manuals!”
Although many purists would argue a manual transmission offers more fun, Audi’s S-tronic transmission has a lot of advantages: the S-tronic can achieve faster shift times, there is no loss of torque transfer from the engine to the driving wheels during gear shifts, and it stands to offer improved fuel economy.
So, is this the end of the manual gearbox in a high performance car? Let us know what you think in the comment box below.
