Manual Tranmission Shock! Unbelievable Comeback or the Cusp of Extinction?
As the tachometers of 2023 came to a rest, we shifted our gears of curiosity towards the fading presence of manual transmissions in the U.S. car market. Against the automated grain, these mechanical relics, with their clutch pedals and gear shifts, have carved out a bastion among the devoted. Even if representing a slender 1.7% of the total automotive sales pie, this figure doubles the whispers from 2021. A glimmer of hope or the last hurrah for enthusiasts?
Indeed, Toyota reintroduced a manual into the Supra, defying the steady march towards automation, and satiating purists’ dreams. Yet, for each triumph, the imminent future casts a shadow – a world shorn of manual Mini Coopers and GTIs as VW and other brands pivot towards stringent emissions regulations and persistent market shifts.
With this dichotomy in mind, let's clutch in and take a ride through the contemporary feel of the manual transmission across the automotive spectrum – from Acura’s surprising Integra resurrection to VW's manual heartbreak.
Acura: The Integra Surprises
Despite early reservations hovering around 70 percent for Acura's Integra A-Spec in manual guise, the full year tells a more modest tale: 22 percent of the 32,090 Integras departed showrooms with six-speed manuals. Luxury didn’t stall the affection for manual transmission as even the pricier A-Spec Technology model and Type S saw row-your-own gears.
BMW: Hanging onto Heritage
BMW adheres to its performance manual tradition, offering the engaging stick shift in the likes of M2, M3, and M4. Popularity remains robust, with over half of M2s and a notable chunk of M3 and M4 vehicles donning manuals. However, the shadow of electrification suggests these models could be the last of their kind to relish in the manual joy.
Cadillac’s Last Hurrah and Chevrolet’s Silent Bow
The CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing soar like twin phoenixes with nearly 50% of customers choosing the manual way, standing as a testament to the connection between car and driver. Alas, even the Bow Tie’s final manual contender, the Camaro, rolled quietly off the stages with Chevrolet holding its tongue on manual take rates.
Subaru: The Standard Bearer
Subaru's drivers are unapologetically manual, with the WRX and BRZ seeing three-quarters of their faithful opting for the tactile engagement of a manual gearbox. Subaru stands as a beacon for stick-shift puritans, its vehicles a pilgrimage for those who seek to dance the three-pedal shuffle.
Across the lot, figures vary, hope waxes, and wanes. We have Honda's Civic, a bastion at seven percent, and Hyundai's Elantra N holding steady at 25 percent. The Jeep Wrangler and Gladiator keep their percentages hidden under the hood, much like Dodge’s reticent Challenger send-off.
The Rare and the Exotic: Mazda, Porsche, and Toyota
Mazda's MX-5 Miata signals a strong manual heartbeat with 60% of its aficionados downshifting the old-fashioned way. Porsche and Toyota offer a touch of exotic flair, with the 718, 911, GR86, and GR Supra reminding us that excitement often comes with a stick, despite their combined four-figure take rates falling shy of the WRX’s manual embrace.
The taciturn Volkswagen, uttering not a word about their manual-gearbox future, rides the rollercoaster with significant percentages for its GTI and R models. But, VW's curtains could soon draw closed on this fabled transmission method.
These numbers are not merely digits but signify a niche that clings to the vibrancy of sticks and clutches. With each car sold, enthusiasts pen an ode to the craft of driving - a tactile elegance of control that no paddle shifter can replicate.
As the dawn of 2024 breaks, manual transmissions stand at a crossroads. Will they usher in an era of newfound appreciation, or is the horizon signaling a final impressive burnout before the quiet of electrons takes over? Clutch your pearls, folks, the transmission tale is far from over.