The trend away from manuals continues as Audi reveals the 2019 Audi A4 and A5 won’t have a manual option any more. The 2018 Models were available with a 6-speed unit. However, only 5% of buyer’s selected the no-cost option. So, the 2019 Audi A4 and A5 will only come with an automatic gearbox. Sadly, this industry’s trends are driven much more by numbers than they are the opinions of Journalists.
While we are sad to see Audi’s last manual leave us for good, there are plenty of other luxury automakers offering a manual.
Shiftable Alternatives
Take, for example, the 2019 Genesis G70. This Korean luxury compact sedan is available with rear wheel drive and a manual transmission. Sadly, the manual cannot be had with the 3.0L twin turbo V6. Though, the 2.0L four cylinder is certainly no slouch. Nathan would gladly ditch two cylinders for an extra pedal.
To see what Nathan and I thought of the 2019 Genesis G70, be sure to check out our review:
BMW and Cadillac are two more manufacturers in the same league that offer a manual gearbox. You can have the BMW 3-series with a 6-speed, as well as the Cadillac ATS. Though, none of these vehicles offer AWD, like the A4 and A5.
Sadly we are living in an age of gradual extinction for the manual transmission. At least in the US, sales of manuals are too slow to be financially viable for most manufacturers.
We will have holdouts, companies like Porsche have made it very clear that their manuals are going nowhere. Let us all take a moment of silence though, for the Audi manual is officially dead.
To keep up to date on the companies that still offer manual transmissions, and hear about the deaths of other manual models, stay tuned to TFLcar.com.
