2019 marks the end of Audi’s manual transmission manufacture in the US. But fear not, auto enthusiaststhere are still plenty of possibilities to find your next Audi stick shift if you’re willing to settle for a secondhand car.
Many drivers will agree that shifting into gear and hitting the road is the best feeling, but the future of the American manual transmission is not promising. Nearly 99 percent of new US car sales in 2019 were automatics, despite many brands still carrying the torch.
In This Article...
Which Audis are still equipped with manual transmissions?
Audi’s quattro all-wheel-drive system is well known. Thankfully, there are still a few Audi quattros that can be had with a manual transmission. Both the hot rod version, the S4 3.0 TFSI, and the 2016 Audi A4 2.0 TFSI can be specified with a 6-speed manual transmission and quattro. It’s interesting that the quattro A4 offers a 6-speed manual or an 8-speed Tiptronic automatic transmission while the front-wheel-drive A4 comes with a continuously variable automatic. Quattro and either a 6-speed manual or a 7-speed S Tronic automatic transmission are standard on the S4. There are several different gearbox, drive, and engine options available for each model. Congratulations, Audi.
Audi produces manual transmissions in 2021?
With the Audi A3 of 2021, Audi has returned to the manual transmission. Whether or whether this model will be sold in the United States is still unknown. In Europe this year and in the US the new 2021 Audi A3 will go on sale. The manual transmission might make a comeback in other Audi vehicles in addition to this six speed type.
When did Audi discontinue their manuals?
Audi did provide a number of vehicles with manual transmissions over the years, despite the fact that it was never a popular choice in the United States. In reality, the RS4 and RS2 were among the greatest vehicles supplied by the company, and the original R8 was even available with a gated box. With the 2019 A4, Audi sadly said farewell to the manual transmission (in the US market). The Audi A4 was the final model offered in the US with a manual option, and the firm even released a limited-edition version of it named the A4 Ultra Sport to mark the occasion.
Since virtually nobody in the US still purchases manual transmissions, we had assumed Audi had abandoned them forever. However, a recent tweet from the official Audi account has caught our attention. The tweet from Audi included the description, “The forgotten art of deciding which gear you’re in. #40YearsOfQuattro,” along with a photo of a manual gear lever from a Quattro.
Can the Audi A3 be had in manual?
A3 user reviews The manual-shift S-Line sports package variant that we tested accelerated quickly from zero to fifty by gliding through the gears with ease and lots of power. Michelin rubber used for all seasons provides surefooted handling. Even tall drivers can comfortably sit in the seats.
Do BMW’s manual transmissions still exist?
BMW produces more manual automobiles than any other manufacturer, with four models having a manual transmission option in 2021. The beginning of the end for manual BMWs may, however, be in sight with the loss of the manual option for the 2022 2 Series.
The majority of auto enthusiasts favor manual gearboxes over automatic ones when it comes to transmissions. However, with nearly all new cars produced in the US in 2019 being automatics, the thrill of the clutch may be a disappearing art.
Exists a manual Audi RS5?
The RS5 only comes with a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, unlike the excellent TT RS, which is only offered in the United States with a six-speed manual transmission. We are the Save the Manuals! gang, after all, and would be prepared to give up a few tenths of a second in acceleration and lap times in order to be able to work more intimately with this darling of an engine. However, you won’t hear us criticize this transmission.
The shift timings of the dual-clutch have apparently been sped up for 2013 by redesigning the transmission’s hydraulics, indicating that Audi appears to be particularly concerned with those valuable 10ths. The last RS5 we drove also banged off shifts rapidly, so whatever improvement there may be is too slight for us to discern without instrumented test results to support it. Rapid downshifts might cause the transmission to suddenly shift into a lower gear. The transmission occasionally bucks as it shifts into lower ratios as it slowly comes to a stop.
Is a manual transmission available for the Audi Q3?
Before purchasing the Q3 S, I had a short glance at the specifications, and they were incredibly lacking when compared to the Q3 Quattro. The engines’ displacement is unchanged, although the Q3 S has been detuned. The 2.0 TDI Quattro’s horsepower has been cut by over 30, while the torque has been decreased by 60Nm.
The arrival of the racing red Q3 S with its black wheels and Pirelli tires completely grabbed me. I had previously remarked that the goods were missing from this cost constraint model, but that was all in the distant past. This car’s lack of LEDs does not make it appear naked; rather, it gives it a distinct personality.
It was time to get inside and begin our drive experience after being astounded by its stunning exteriors. When the Start/Stop system was missing, realization dawned. As soon as the engine was started, the gruff diesel engine began to rev.
The Q3S’s manual transmission is its main selling point. The Q3 S came close to giving me the impression of a pricey luxury manual car, which is something I’ve always intrigued about. A short 6 speed manual gear shift has replaced the cushy auto stick. It was an Audi without the comforts of an automatic gear shift, climate control, and other amenities.
When the car started to move, everything changed. In a very brief period of time, the engine gains speed. Although the power and torque numbers are significantly lower, the Q3S’s weight has also been reduced. The 4-cylinder in-line TDI engine generates 320 Nm of torque between 1750 and 2500 rpm and 140 HP at 4200 rpm. A 6 Speed manual gearbox has taken the place of the 7-Speed S-Tronic transmission.
The engine has a pleasant rpm range and maintains the torque delivery for a very long time. The engine continues to pull to the red line limit even in third gear. The smooth and impressive gear shifts are amazing. They are extremely succinct and exactly downshift and upshift when necessary. The clutch, however, feels out of sync with the gearbox since it requires some effort and is too tiresome to operate in city traffic.
The broad tires handled the surface well, and the suspension system handled the undulations with ease. The Q3S felt assured when we drove it on difficult terrain, and its high ground clearance and large wheels inspire us to drive this little SUV even harder.
Although the Q3 S is a base model, it is encouraging to see that Audi continues to offer an electronic stability program on it. However, since the Q3 S does not have a quattro system, there is less confidence in the traction, which is noticeable when cornering at high speeds. It takes some time for it to get back to where it was. During our test run, the Q3 S achieved an outstanding mileage of 1516Kmpl.
Mercedes has a manual transmission available?
No, Mercedes hasn’t produced a car with a manual transmission in the US since 2011, when the last six-speed stick was offered in the C300’s sports version. Mercedes-Benz brand president Marcus Schaeffer announced that the business will completely discontinue manual gearboxes in 2020 as a sign of its commitment to the electrification of its vehicles.
Stick shift fans who are set on a Mercedes might still have a look at used cars on the market. Buyers may also take into account the SLK 200, C180, and C200 models in addition to the SLK 250 and C300 already stated.
Is the Audi S3 offered in manual?
The Audi S3 2.0T Premium comes with a 2.0L I-4 306hp intercooled turbo engine, a 7-speed auto-shift manual transmission with overdrive, four-wheel anti-lock brakes (ABS), side-mounted airbags, SIDEGUARD curtain 1st and 2nd row overhead airbags, driver and passenger knee airbags, and airbag occupancy sensors as standard equipment.
The Audi A4 is it manual?
UPDATE 8/16/2018: According to Audi, the A5 coupe’s six-speed manual transmission will also be discontinued for the 2019 model year.
It appears that we can’t save all of the manuals. The current-generation Audi A4’s six-speed manual transmission will no longer be an option for the redesigned 2019 model, as it has been for the 2017 model year. The A5 coupe will also only be available with an automatic transmission starting with the 2019 model year. This eliminates the stick shift from the entire Audi U.S. lineup.
As you could have predicted, Audi is eliminating the stick-shift option due to insufficient customer demand. According to reports, only 5% of A4 buyers in the US opted for the six-speed manual over the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic that is offered. It’s a shame because the manual enhanced performance while also boosting driver involvement. In our tests, the dual-clutch automatic A4 took 5.2 seconds to accelerate from 0 to 60 mph, while the manual A4 needed 5.1 seconds.
Does the RS3 come with a manual?
Over the years, Audi has consistently raised the standard for high-performance cars, sometimes even going above and beyond expectations. The parent models A3 and S3 gave rise to the RS3 model. Its November 2010 announcement served as the beginning of its first generation. The RS3 resembled its parent models in certain ways. However, it was offered in a 5-door variation and in a Sportback edition. It also had a wider body and flared wheel arches, making it easy to tell it apart from its forerunners.
A 2.5 TFSI Quattro 7AT powertrain with 340 HP and 450 lb-ft of torque was standard on the 2011 Audi RS3. It was a market leader with a top speed of roughly 250 km/h and a 0 to 100 km/h acceleration time of 4.6 seconds. It lacked a manual gearbox, though.
The RS3 increased power in the 2020 model year, which is quickly approaching. It had a powerful turbocharged 2.5-liter five-cylinder engine that produced 400 HP. The engine has a redline of 6900 RP and a pleasant sound that you wouldn’t mind playing repeatedly to get revved up. The 2020 Audi RS3 could accelerate from 0 to 96 km/h in 3.5 seconds. Due to its fast steering and nimble suspension, it possessed superb handling without sacrificing sharpness. For those wishing to optimize the model’s capabilities, a sport suspension option was also offered. Even though these specifications were and still are amazing, the 2022 model is anticipated to have more and better features.