2019 Mini Cooper 3-DoorPeter Bleakney / Driving For many years, small hatchbacks have been characterized by their fun-to-drive nature, and most will agree nothing is more fun to drive than a car with a manual transmission.Mini agrees, and so its bringing back its manual transmission option for most of its vehicles after a brief hiatus.Starting early February 2020, customers will be able to resume ordering (two- and four-door) Mini hardtop and convertible models equipped with manual transmissions from March 2020 production, spokesperson Andrew Cutler told Car and Driver.With take rates for manual transmission vehicles landing in the lower echelons, Mini actually manages to garner more attention from purists than other brands. According to Mini, the Cooper Hardtop S has a manual transmission take rate of 45 per cent, which is astounding in this day and age. There is a segment of the customer base that prefers driving with a manual transmission, so we do want to maintain that for the component of our customers who expect that, said Cutler. We are going to continue to ensure that weve got manuals when and where possible.The reason for the hiatus in North America was an update to the fuel-delivery system, which enhanced efficiency. The testing that occurred left the seven-speed dual-clutch transmission and the eight-speed automatic as the only options.Unfortunately, the transmission will not be returning to every model. Those left out will be models with all-wheel-drive and the John Cooper Works editions, which require a more stout transmission to handle their added
Origin: Mini is bringing back its manual transmissions
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The 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera will have a seven-speed manual transmission
2020 Porsche 911Derek McNaughton / Driving Porsche is catering to the #savethemanual crowd, and were totally here for it. The 992 generation of 911 wasnt previously offered with a manual, but it is now three-pedal mafia, rejoice!To get the manual, youll have to step up to the Carrera S, Carrera S Cabriolet, Carrera 4S or the Carrera 4S Cabriolet. Base 911s without the S suffix will not feature this 7-speed manual yet.Interestingly, the manual option costs as much as the most expensive PDK automatic transmission option youd assume the manual should be cheaper, right? Well, Porsche knows that, too, and instead of charging more money for the less-sought-after transmission, its decided to pair it with the Sport Chrono Package. The Sport Chrono Package adds a mechanical limited-slip differential with torque vectoring, dynamic drivetrain mounts, Porsche Suspension Management Sport Mode, active rev-matching and a steering wheel-mounted mode selector.Of course, the manual option is slower than the PDK automatic option about half-a-second slower to 100 km/h from zero. But who cares? The point of a manual transmission is the engagement with the vehicle, not the actual speed youre not supposed to be street racing anyway!Besides being more fun, the manual option also adds lightness. Some 84 pounds were left in Stuttgart as a result of the tranny swap, dropping the weight down to 3,298 pounds, lighter than the base Carrera.Three-pedal 2020 Porsche 911s are now available to order, and arrive in dealerships starting spring of 2020. Pricing starts at US$113,300 for the Carrera S and goes up to US$133,400 for the Carrera 4S
Origin: The 2020 Porsche 911 Carrera will have a seven-speed manual transmission
Porsche 911 to gain manual gearbox option
Porsche has released a new seven-speed manual gearbox option for the 911, which, since launch, has been offered exclusively with an eight-speed PDK automatic. The new option has so far only been released to the US market, where a Porsche spokesman said there is increased demand for manual models, as demonstrated by the success of the six-speed 991-gen GT3 range-topper. Porsche’s representative also said that the 992-generation 911 became available much later in the US than it did here, hence the staggered global roll-out of different drivetrain options, and that we can expect the manual option to arrive in the UK in the first half of 2020. Both the mid-range Carrera S and top-spec 4S, in Coupé and Cabriolet guises, can be equipped with the manual gearbox, with no word on whether it will be soon made available on the entry-level Carrera variant. There’s no word on UK pricing yet, but the manual gearbox is being offered to American 911 buyers as a no-cost option. Choosing it also brings the firm’s Sport Chrono timing package, which includes uprated engine mounts, a sport suspension setting, rev-match function and steering wheel-mounted drive mode selector. As with the old 991-generation 911, the manual-equipped 992 receives a mechanical limited-slip differential with torque vectoring functionality as standard. This replaces the electronically adjustable unit fitted to PDK-equipped models. Porsche claims a 0-60mph time of approximately four seconds and a top speed of 190mph, with the manual version tipping the scales at 1496kg, at least 9kg less than the automatic model. While Porsche only offers 992-generation 911 with a PDK gearbox in the UK, the limited-run Speedster, a retro-styled performance variant of its predecessor, is offered exclusively with a manual
Origin: Porsche 911 to gain manual gearbox option
This speed shop will fit your new Toyota Supra with a manual
2020 Toyota SupraHandout / Toyota Disciples at the Church of Supra cried out in collective anguish when they learned the 2020 version of the Toyota sports car would not be available with a manual transmission.Never mind that most modern boxes can shift gears faster than most humans, it was the loss of driver interaction that was mourned.Toyota knows this and, back at the North American Inernational Auto Show last January, chief engineer Tetsuya Tada told assembled media he was open to the idea of adding a stick (though he’s since gone back against that prospect).One performance outlet in Texas apparently couldnt wait anyway, and decided to engineer its own solution. First reported on at CarBuzz, a Texan outfit called European Auto Group is now taking customer deposits for a 2020 Toyota Supra manual swap.This is the same crew that stuck a gated six-speed manual in a Ferrari 430 Scuderia, so chances are good they know what theyre doing. Theyre also working on a stickshift 458 Italia, by the way.In a Canadian connection, the crew at EAG have tag-teamed with the Canucks at ProTuning Freaks in Ontario for help in offering a power boost in addition to the manual swap. Yes, that ProTuning, the one that works on BMWs. After all, at heart, a Supra shares much with a Z4. According to the report, EAG will source all its parts from BMW, meaning the greasy bits will likely come from Munich. But the madman behind it all says he would enjoy deploying a shift lever like the one found in Toyotas own GR HV Sports Concept, the one shown back in 2017. That would keep its interior appearance all in the family, at least.Cost? Figure on a bill somewhere in the $12,000 range, and to be without your Supra for about a
Origin: This speed shop will fit your new Toyota Supra with a manual
BMW boss confirms next M3, M4 will get a manual transmission
BMWs M division is sticking by manual transmissions and RWD – for now, at least.Handout / BMW BMW will give the people what they want a manual transmission in the hot versions of the next-generation 3 and 4 Series cars.In an interview with BMW Blog, BMW M head Markus Flasch explained although the next M3 and M4 will have optional all-wheel-drive, the company is still keeping driving enthusiasts in mind.Its a bit early to disclose all the details, but something I want to highlight is that we will have a manual stick shift, he said. Weve already disclosed we will have the option of four-wheel drive. Weve not decided which variant, which system, but everything thats on our current lineup think of the M5 can be made available. The M3 and M4, Ive driven the pre-production cars and theyre already fantastic. This is good news. BMW was once known for fantastic drivers cars, but these days, the general consensus is that the Bavarian brand has recently become muddied with the introduction of SUVs, not to mention building a car for almost every segment. Flasch even admits while manuals arent particularly fast, theyre still important.The manual stick shift is not a performance-bringer, because an automatic transmission is just faster, you can ask any race driver, he said. But it gives the vehicle character and I kind of compare it to people who love mechanical watches it isnt more precise and it doesnt have any advantage at all, but its a character feature. So is a stick shift.All this means if you want a manual, youll have to step up to the M3 or M4, instead of the lesser 3 or 4 Series. We dont really have a problem with that, though, because the manual transmission is more or less a device reserved for people who enjoy using it, rather than as a means to cut costs. The M3 and M4 are built for driving pleasure, and were glad BMW recognizes this doesnt always mean speed, but rather a connection to the car
Origin: BMW boss confirms next M3, M4 will get a manual transmission
The Corvette C8 will never get a manual because no one buys them: engineer
The 2020 Chevrolet Corvette C8Chevrolet The C8 Corvette is changing the game in a lot of ways for Chevrolet: it is, of course, the first mid-engined sports car its ever built. And weve now learned it is, unfortunately, the brands first sports car to forego a staple of the segment: the manual transmission.In a conversation with Motor Authority at the cars reveal, lead engineer Tadge Juechter simply said No when asked if the manual transmission would make an appearance in the C8.We couldnt find anybody honestly whod be willing to do it. Because just like the automatic, the DCT, it would have to be a bespoke manual, Juechter said.Its low volume, very expensive. The reason is its a low-volume industry. That industry is dying building manual transmissions.The numbers have changed vastly from when the Corvette first appeared on the scene, he said; now only 15 per cent of Corvette buyers choose the manual. Every year it goes down, down, down, down, Juechter lamented. Ouch. So not only will people not buy them, Chevrolet cant even get anybody to build them one at a decent cost, but it makes sense considering the requirements the C8 had for a transmission.According to Jeuchter, there isnt much room behind the driver to fit the engine, let alone the transmission, so it had to be compact. The engine is already dry-sumped to give it a small oil pan, and all the cooling devices associated with the engine also needed a place to go. Also, there had to be a place for the owners golf clubs, and thats more important than any performance options.Making the engine anything but an automatic posed too many problems for the team, so the manual was not even considered, marking the end of the row-your-own Corvette. Will you miss
Origin: The Corvette C8 will never get a manual because no one buys them: engineer
Hyundai Shuffles Veloster lineup, drops manual option for everything but Turbo
Hyundai is changing the names of its trim lines for the Veloster, as well as taking away the manual transmission options for the lower, non-turbocharged trims.Before, we had 2.0L, Turbo, and Turbo Tech, now we have Preferred, Luxury, and Turbo, with only the Turbo trim option carrying forward the manual transmission for the 2020 model year.Starting at $22,399, the base model Preferred trim of the Veloster comes with a 2.0-litre engine that makes 147 horsepower, price has gone up $2,000 from the 2019 model. The Luxury trim also comes with the same engine, priced at $25,099. Both Preferred and Luxury trims come with a six-speed automatic transmission with a manual mode, the manual option is no longer available for these two trims. The Turbo Tech trim is disappearing, effectively merging with the $27,499 Turbo trim as the sole option available with the 201 horsepower 1.6-litre turbocharged engine. A six-speed manual transmission is standard, and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission is available for another $1,500.The Turbo trim option adds a few niceties to the Preferred and Luxury trims, including leather seats, a 4.2-inch cluster display, LED headlights and Taillights, and alloy wheels.The Veloster N is also on the table, and thatll set you back a little more cash at $34,999, but for that price, you get a 275-horsepower 2.0-litre turbo-four, sport exhaust, 19-inch wheels, selectable drive modes, and its six-speed manual transmission is graced with rev-matching.Shame to see the manual options go on the cheapest of the trim levels, but were glad Hyundai is keeping it around for the more sporty trims that enthusiasts are more likely to
Origin: Hyundai Shuffles Veloster lineup, drops manual option for everything but Turbo
Aston Martin’s mid-engined Vanquish with have a manual transmission
The 2019 Aston Martin Vanquish ConceptAston Martin Aston Martins next Vanquish will be a mid-engined supercar, and CEO Andy Palmer just confirmed it will come with a proper manual transmission.Ive already made a commitment that I want to be the last manufacturer in the world to offer manual sports cars, and I want to honour that commitment, Palmer told Australia’s Car Sales. The transmission will be a variation of Astons built-in-house seven-speed manual with its dogleg-H pattern, meaning first gear is to the left and down, instead of up. The transmission is usually sitting behind a V8, but in the mid-engine Vanquish, it will be in front of a V6 mounted behind the driver.In an age where lap times and zero-to-100 km/h sprints are all the rage, its reassuring to see Aston Martin take the road less travelled with a more engaging, albeit slower-shifting transmission option. Also going against the norm, the Vanquish will use an aluminum tub instead of carbon fibre; while that seems like stone age technology now, Palmer has a reason for it.Our mainstream cars, have been created to be usable daily, he said. Thats why they employ an aluminum tub for a lower and narrower sill; it makes them easier to get in and out of.The Vanquish Vision concept was revealed earlier this year in Geneva, previewing the upcoming car. Aston plans to put it up against the Ferrari F8 Tributo and McLaren 720S, but unlike those two, Aston wont limit production and will actually build additional variants. plan is to go up against Ferrari with its F8 Tributo and McLarens 720S, but unlike those two, Aston wont limit the production, and will actually build additional
Origin: Aston Martin’s mid-engined Vanquish with have a manual transmission
GM’s first public autonomous cars will probably have manual controls
In this Jan. 16, 2019, file photo, Cruise AV, General Motors autonomous electric Bolt EV is displayed in Detroit.Paul Sancya / AP If GM has its way, it will be setting loose onto the roads of North America up to 2,500 driverless taxis a year. The vehicles would be requested by users with smartphones, and then commanded with touch screens inside once it arrives. What they wouldn’t be able to do, however, is be driven by a human in the traditional manner. But despite requests to put out its first fleet of publicly available self-drivers sans manual controls this year, a GM executive in charge of the autonomous division says the upcoming fourth-gen Cruise AV will “most likely” feature manual controls, meaning a human could grab the literal wheel, step on the pedals and pilot the vehicle using traditional methods if need be. The comments first highlighted by Automotive News suggest that, due to the U.S. government’s hesitation to hand out exemptions for vehicles that don’t meet the Federal Motor Vehicle Safety Standards’ idea of a safe vehicle, GM’s upcoming initial wave of public-serving, self-driving cars will include such manual controls. Until we have exemptions, which we filed a petition for, and/or law changes, we probably wouldn’t go forward with Gen 4, Doug Parks, GM vice president of autonomous and electric vehicle programs, said during a recent conference in California. But we think it’s really something we’ve got to talk about, we’ve got to work on. The third-generation Cruise AV, which is currently being tested in San Francisco, includes manual controls as well as “safety driver” there to take over for the autonomous system should an issue arise. Would you feel comfortable in a self-driving car with no steering wheel or pedals? Or would you prefer to know that an actual foot on an actual brake could still bring the vehicle to a halt?
Origin: GM’s first public autonomous cars will probably have manual controls
Most Subaru BRZ drivers prefer manual while Toyota 86 drivers go automatic
Last week Toyota told the world just how many of its drivers were champing at the bit to drive a car with a manual transmission. It wasn’t many. Just one per cent of Corolla drivers opted for the stick shift in 2018, while around 33 per cent of the far-sportier 86’s buyers preferred the manual. Following the news, Autoblog recognized the opportunity to perform a twin study and asked Subaru for the BRZ’s manual uptake numbers. Hypothesis: It’s basically the same car, so it should have the same appeal as a manual. Conclusion: Nope. Compared to the previously reported one-third of Toyota 86 models ordered with a stick, buyers of the Subaru BRZ preferred the manual transmission 78 per cent of the time in 2018. Regarding the ‘nature vs. nurture’ debate in this particular twin study, nurture dominates. There must be something about Subaru branding that appeals to the part of the enthusiast crowd that prefers to have busy hands. For context, the Mazda MX-5 Miata soft top has a manual take rate of 76 per cent, and that’s a car that basically shouldn’t even be offered with an automatic. The Subaru WRX also had an impressive stat in this column, with 90 per cent of buyers ordering the manual. That’s weighted, no doubt, by the fact that the WRX STI is sold exclusively as a manual. But before you go declaring Subaru the Queen of the Manual, know that the automatic is still vastly preferred within the brand’s less-sporty models. The Subaru Impreza sells with a stick 8 per cent of the time, followed by the Crosstrek at 6 per cent and the Forester at 3 per cent.
Origin: Most Subaru BRZ drivers prefer manual while Toyota 86 drivers go automatic
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