These 5 Car Brands Don’t Make Any Manual Car Models in 2023
The sensation of rowing through the gears of a manual car from a storied marque is a joyous affair. However, the number of sports cars with a three-pedal setup is dwindling. Moreover, some brands, like Mercedes-Benz, Audi, and Alfa Romeo, that once produced angry, snarling performance cars don’t make any manual transmissions in 2023.
What cars do not come in manual transmission?
While some performance car manufacturers continue to roll out production cars with manual transmissions, these famous European marques have stopped producing three-pedal vehicles in the American market.
- Mercedes-Benz
- Audi
- Jaguar
- Alfa Romeo
- Aston Martin
Modern automatic-equipped vehicles, especially dual-clutch models, are thrust-happy. In fact, they’re faster than manual-equipped versions of the same car. For instance, an S550 Ford Mustang GT with a 460-horsepower 5.0L Coyote V8 and an MT-82 six-speed manual transmission might hit 60 mph in around 4.5 seconds. However, the same GT with a 10-speed automatic transmission could make the same sprint in under 4.0 seconds.
Why doesn’t Mercedes-Benz have any manual cars?
Mercedes-Benz might have a reputation for lunacy when it comes to its AMG cars, but manual models haven’t held any priority with the American market. The German marque hasn’t offered a mass-production vehicle with a manual transmission since 2011.
It’s a shame, too; a new AMG SL 63 or AMG GT with a row-your-own gearbox would add to the experience.
What was the last manual Audi?
Audi stopped selling manual-equipped cars for the 2019 model year and hasn’t produced another for the US market. The 2018 Audi S5 was one of the last models to offer a six-speed transmission, per Jerry.
Of course, there are plenty of performance-oriented Audi manual cars on the used market. For instance, a 2008 Audi S5 packed a manual transmission and a vociferous 4.2L V8 engine.
Which Jaguar has a manual transmission?
Despite a history laden with three-pedal roadsters, Jaguar doesn’t have a model in the American market with a manual transmission. Instead, Jaguar’s only sports car, the F-TYPE, packs an eight-speed automatic transmission with paddle shifters.
Can you get the Alfa Romeo Giulia with a manual?
Even with the performance credentials of the Alfa Romeo Giulia Estrema and Quadrifoglio, the model isn’t available with a manual transmission. Instead, the 505-horsepower Quadrifoglio sticks with an eight-speed automatic transmission.
However, Alfa Romeo created a Giulia-based SWB Zagato with a six-speed manual gearbox, but it’s a one-off build.
Is Aston Martin one of the car brands without a manual option?
Aston Martin stopped producing cars with manual transmissions in 2022. As a result, no Aston Martin model boasts a three-pedal setup for the 2023 model year. Unfortunately, the manual isn’t the only thing disappearing from the marque’s lineup; Aston Martin will discontinue its iconic V12 soon.
