A three-pedal layout is the most engaging and enjoyable method to get the most out of an automobile, as every red-blooded automotive enthusiast is aware of. Heinz Hollerweger, the CEO of Audi’s Quattro GmbH, has a different perspective.
You can’t really blame him in some aspects. When questioned why the 2018 Audi R8 will only be available with a dual-clutch, Hollerweger made a point to remind out that today’s most sophisticated automated gearboxes simply outperform manuals at the track.
At the 2015 Geneva auto show, he observed, “You have to look at lap times,” adding that, at least in Europe, demand for Audi R8s with manual transmissions was practically nonexistent. When questioned about it, Hollerweger didn’t budge. Hollerweger thinks there’s no use in offering a manual on the new car because a stick-shift just cannot match the performance of the R8’s dual-clutch transmission and few purchasers requested one.
Of course, we beg to differ, and we were quite surprised by his claim that driving a car with a manual transmission is not a more interesting experience. But regrettably, that seems to be the way of the world, and given the direction that manufacturers of supercars, like Ferrari and others, have been taking recently, it is hardly a surprise.
One more piece of information regarding the Audi R8 was provided by Hollerweger: a V-8 will not be offered for the vehicle. We now understand why the new R8 debuted alongside the V-10, which was a bit of a surprise. We don’t care about a V-8, Hollerweger stated. He also said that demand for the eight-cylinder was weak and that demand for the “iconic” V-10 significantly exceeded estimates for the first-generation model.
If you want an Audi R8, you may choose between a 5.2-liter V-10 engine with 520 or 610 horsepower for this generation at least, but you are limited to the seven-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission. You may also choose the R8 e-tron, which has a T-shaped lithium-ion battery pack, electric motors, and a 280-mile range, if you don’t mind waiting a year or more, at least in Europe.
Therefore, those of you who own first-generation Audi R8s with V-8 engines and manual transmissions suddenly possess a pretty rare vehicle. Enjoy.
In This Article...
Did the Audi R8 have a manual transmission?
The gated manual transmission was the best feature of the original Audi R8. Audi permanently eliminated the third pedal with the introduction of the current-generation vehicle in 2015, leaving customers with only the option of a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission. However, there is still some hope for the devotees of the manual. You can still have a true six-speed in your new R8 if you want one. To accomplish this, you’ll merely need to turn to the aftermarket.
Is Audi automatic or manual?
As fewer Americans learn how to operate them and automakers avoid producing them, the popularity of automobiles and trucks with manual transmissions is declining significantly.
Additionally, because automatic transmissions have greatly improved, the once-true justifications for favoring manual transmissionsthat they make cars more fuel-efficient and less expensive to buyare no longer always valid. This has eliminated the practical benefits that some drivers cited for their preference for manuals.
keeping to the manual? What do you think makes driving a stick shift so special? Let us know on Twitter or Facebook.
Manual transmissions, which were once the only type of transmission available, played a crucial role in automotive design, from bland, functional sticks and silver wands to exquisitely smooth cue balls. Between the seats or close to the steering wheel, these jewelry pieces were mounted. They are now essentially irrelevant.
According to Mike Fiske, senior analyst at IHS Markit who focuses on automotive engine difficulties, the market for sticks is now at a position “where it’s not a need or even much of an alternative.
The only choice is Audi. The premium automaker, which is a division of the Volkswagen Group, said that starting with the 2019 model year, it will stop selling any manual-transmission vehicles in the United States.
According to Audi spokeswoman Amanda Koons, the 2018 A4 sedan and A5 coupe were the last models offered with a stick-shift option.
The German marque will only use automatic gearboxes going forward in the United States.
Transmission advancements
After a number of recent technological developments, automatic transmissions are now available in a variety of high-tech configurations, such as dual-clutch models that replicate the gear-changing action of a manual transmission. Finally, they all carry out your work for you. There will be no more fiddling with the clutch to change gears.
Koons lamented that there isn’t much of a market for manuals in an email.
Sales of manual gearboxes have been declining for decades, but in recent years, the decline has quickened.
According to IHS Markit, 6.8% of vehicles sold in the United States in 2012 had stick shifters. However, in 2018, that percentage is thought to have dropped to 3.5 percent.
How about the Subaru BRZ? Fiske said that sales of the well-known sports car, which were previously limited to manual transmission models, are now 90 percent automatic.
In 2023, IHS predicts that the proportion of vehicles sold with a manual transmission will decrease to 2.6%. Fiske added that fresh data points might need a change to IHS’s projection.
But stick-shift enthusiasts still have some hope. They continue to be sold in numerous international areas, for starters. In actuality, the 5-speed manual is the most often used transmission worldwide, according to Fiske.
A few years ago, Darryl Hayden, a machine operator from Hampton, Virginia, was determined to get a manual-transmission car, but the dealer had just one option available, and it was rudimentary. Thus, he asked the dealer to look everywhere for the 2014 Ford Focus he ultimately chose to purchase.
He stated, “That was a very challenging thing to locate. Since they’re not building as many anymore, the car “was in South Carolina, and they drove it up to Virginia for me.
With a manual, Hayden claims he feels more rooted to the road, which, he claims, also keeps him alert.
You have more control over the vehicle since you are changing gears on your own rather than waiting for the vehicle to do it, the speaker stated.
While several major auto makers still offer stick-shift options on some models, Audi is discontinuing manual transmissions. According to IHS, the Chevrolet Cruze, Ford Focus, Honda Civic, Hyundai Elantra, and Jeep Wrangler Unlimited were the top five best-selling manual vehicles through July.
Teaching the next generation
While Hayden adores driving a stick, finding him capable of doing so is now more difficult than ever.
Because many of them never learned how to drive a stick as children, Hagerty, a historic automobile insurance located in Traverse City, Michigan, is training auto engineers how to drive a manual.
Additionally, since 2011, the business has taught the skill to about 2,500 students in high school.
One benefit of the courses is that the pupils get to practice clutch control and gear shifting in vintage vehicles like a 1965 Ford Mustang convertible or a 1969 Chevrolet Camaro SS.
Only two of those pupils, according to Hagerty communication expert Tabetha Hammer, “may never grasp it.”
Automatic future
The tremendous advances made to the automatic transmission may be the primary factor making the manual transmission obsolete.
The newest automatics from General Motors have shift speeds that even the greatest manual drivers cannot match, according to associate chief engineer Mark Kielczewski.
The transmission makes the necessary modifications to maintain the transmission in the right gear, at the right moment, all the time. It does this by detecting whether the car is traveling up or down a hill, whether the driver is driving furiously or just gradually on a curved road.
However, even though the manual transmission might be going away, the automated transmission shouldn’t become too accustomed. In reality, its days might already be numbered.
This is due to the absence of transmissions in electric vehicles, which supporters predict will eventually supplant gasoline-powered cars.
Is the Audi R8 v10 Plus a manual or automatic vehicle?
The new automatic is such a vast advance over the single-clutch robotized manual R tronic in the previous R8 that all but the most ardent driving enthusiasts will opt for it as their preferred gearbox. It’s true that in fully automatic mode, it’s not quite as smooth as a typical torque converter box, but it comes close. And unlike some other dual-clutch systems, it actually gives you full control in manual mode via the gearlever or the larger steering wheel paddles.
The gearbox can skip gears to make sure you’re always in the best ratiohandy when shifting down while applying strong braking. It will let you bounce the engine off its rev limits if you don’t shift up in time. It won’t suddenly revert to automatic mode unless you tell it to.
Additionally, the V10 Plus has fade-resistant carbon ceramic brakes as standard, allowing for harder and longer braking than a conventional vehicle. With this assurance, you can fully take advantage of the chassis modifications Audi has made, but for daily driving, we found the upgraded brakes to be far too grabby in comparison to the stock brakes. The V10 Plus comes standard with fixed-rate lowered and strengthened sports suspension for greater body control in place of the V10’s regular magnetic ride adaptive dampers. Just be aware that the car will be less comfy on rough roads as a result. A basic R8 V10 is the best option if you’re looking for a daily driver.
The front wheels of the V10 Plus also have a more aggressive geometry. This results in a noticeable quicker initial steering response, but there is a cost associated with it this time in the form of slightly less moderate high-speed stability. Fortunately, this isn’t that obvious.
In reality, the car was just as simple to drive as any R8 when we drove it at the Misano circuit in Italy. It was also slightly quicker. The supercar is still foolproof and will benefit experienced drivers. The R8 V10 Plus can behave like a complete hooligan if you want it to because of its rear-biased quattro all-wheel-drive system, which can only ever transmit a maximum of 30% of the engine’s power to the front, and a stability control setup that can be completely removed.
Additionally, the styling guarantees that this car is not a wimp. The R8 has always been rather flashy, but a variety of design changes and an available metallic blue matt paint turn up the heat even further. The V10 Plus receives blistered side-blades in carbon fiber in addition to the improvements made to the basic R8 which include new front and rear bumpers including full LED lights. Carbon fiber is also used to make the wing mirrors, front splitter, and rear diffuser as well as the backs of the lightweight leather bucket seats, which are comfortable but not quite as cushy as the normal seats.
Do these improvements, however, truly warrant the Plus’ 12,000 price premium over the base V10? Yes, provided you don’t mind giving up a little bit of comfort and general utility in order to own what is now the ultimate R8.
Do they produce automated Audi R8s?
Over the years, the Audi R8 has developed a devoted following among auto fans. A number of variants have been released, allowing buyers to select the ideal supercar that combines style, speed, and utility. However, Audi no longer offers the R8 with a manual transmission; it used to.
Germany built the final Audi R8 with a manual transmission in 2015. All subsequent Audi R8 vehicles feature automatic transmissions, mostly due to customer demands and improved performance.
While those who prefer manual transmissions may be disappointed that the R8 does not have one, those who prefer automatic transmissions have profited from the swift efficiency and improved performance offered by automatic Audi R8 supercars.
Has the R8 a stick shift?
Most supercars once contained naturally aspirated, fire-breathing beasts that were connected to the wheels by a reliable manual transmission. In contrast to its replacement, which can only be purchased with a self-shifting seven-speed gearbox, this first generation Audi R8 is a product of that age and it features the engaging six-speed stick shift.
The German supercar, which belongs to a very small and endangered species, has drawn attention from Forgestar because, you guessed it, it rides on one of their wheelsets. The CF5V is 8.5×19 inches at the front and 11×19 inches at the back, with a Y-spoke design and a gloss anthracite finish.
They twirl around the orange brake calipers that would ordinarily embrace the drilled rotors, in contrast to the Samoa Orange paint job of the R8. The exotic model’s high-end brakes quickly bring it to a complete halt, and its naturally aspirated 5.2-liter V10 engine propels it forward.
The vehicle accelerates to 62 mph (100 kph) in less than 4 seconds and, if the road and laws permit it, up to 196 mph with the 518 brake horsepower (525 ps / 386 kW) and 391 pound-feet (530 Nm) of torque produced (315 kph). Together with the wide selection of (for the age) safety equipment, the quattro all-wheel drive system improves traction in bad weather, making it a fantastic everyday driver.
Now, aside from the peak speed, this specific model’s straight-line performance might be on par with the best contemporary hyper hatchbacks. But the truth is that no such vehicle can even come close to giving the driver the same sensations. Additionally, it looks the part thanks to the broad air intakes and gentle lines running along its length; in this configuration, it is an absolute dream car, as you can see in the complete image gallery shared above.