Save the Manual Transmissions, the ones with three pedals.

[u2nelson]

I just want to plug the manual transmission, you know the kind with three pedals. I know the computer can shift faster than me, I know I can put it in sport mode and control the gears, I know the acceleration on paper is faster (but not much) and yes when driving in stop and go freeway traffic the auto is nice. But I buy a sports car for sport. When I take a sports car out on a canyon road, it is just so so satisfying to row the gears with a real manual transmission, blipping the throttle on down shifts, heal and toeing when necessary, holding the gear I want at high rev into a series of corners and then exploding out the end with instant power...you just can't get the same feeling with the two pedal cars. It still says something about the brand to offer the manual to the folks, it says that yes, sport is important to the brand because driving is important, its not just about point A to point B. Please save the manual.

[Audi USA]

Hello, thank you for reaching out to us. It is always a pleasure to hear from our die-hard manual enthusiasts. I understand the manual variant is definitely your preference and will share your interest with the appropriate parties within Audi.
At this time, these specific vehicles will be released with a manual variant:
• 2018 Audi A4 Sedan 2.0T quattro® manual – Summer 2017 (This date range is an estimate and is subject to change)
• 2018 Audi A5 Coupe 2.0T quattro® manual – Available now

[eljay]

I already posted my wishes in the Avant thread, but I need to post here as well and add a vote to the "save the manual transmission" for all the reaons u2nelson posted.
At least the regular A4 sedans are still offered with 6MT here in Canada, but that will not get me into the showroom, unfortunately. As Avant lover, I need one with a 6MT and the last 6MT option in an Avant was offered in 2008. Sad.

[heartmys4]

I am extremely disappointed that the only manuals you can currently order in the US are the A4/A5. I was looking forward to ordering either a TT RS or RS3 M/T. I would have even settled for a TTS or S3 if they came in a manual. Without a manual, I will be looking elsewhere for my next car.

Currently in my garage:
2004 S4 M/T
2004 allroad 2.7t M/T
1991 Coupé Quattro M/T

[BillyG]

Same here. I'd be all over that RS3 if I could get it in 6MT.

[Opiate]

3 pedal enthusiasts are the red-headed step child of Audi's patronage. There are 400HP+ options for everyone who doesn't care about actual driving and just want the Audi emblem on their front grill. The rest of us have to depend on the aftermarket at considerable risk (losing warranty) and expense (8-15 hours install on aftermarket clutches that can handle the power). Top that off with the fact that all aftermarket clutches chatter. All i want is a car with RS Power and a 3rd pedal. Why not buy an M car one would ask? You know what, you're right. 3rd pedal or M gets my $ in 2019/2020.

P.S. Throw in a more fun diff in the rear (kinda like the R8) while you're at it ;)

[T_Dub]

I want to throw in my hat here. When searching for a new car to replace my GTI in 2015, I test drove an S3. I would have bought it on the spot if it had a manual transmission.

Instead I bought a Japanese import MY2000 S4 with a manual.

Same goes for the new RS3. That car with a manual is my dream car. But alas, it is not to be. Right now my plan for my next car is to travel to Germany in 2021 and buy a manual MY2006 RS4 Avant.

You'd think Audi would make us a car as a last hurrah before everything goes electric.

That said I'm going to try out the new A4, and see what its like. With a stage 1 tune it should be fairly fun and reliable.

[demark]

I want to throw in my hat here. When searching for a new car to replace my GTI in 2015, I test drove an S3. I would have bought it on the spot if it had a manual transmission.

I'll chime in to mirror T_Dub. I've owned a manual TT 225, manual B6 S4 Avant, and now a manual B8.5 CPO S4, which replaced my MK5 GTI. I would have purchased an S3 if it were manual, or even looked at the B9 S4. We completely understand the business case and that the take rate is low for manuals, but please understand that there is a market. The manual take rate on the GTI, for example, is roughly 50%. While Audi's may cater to a different market, if advertised and promoted properly, I'm sure you can see realistic numbers around 15-20% for certain models, such as the S cars. Spend some time here and you'll see there are many who are looking for manual avants, manual S cars, and even manual SUV's. These are cars, and cars are meant to be driven. Nothing is as engaging as a proper manual, and we're in dire need of more offerings. Thanks for listening.

[zoomzoom!]

Because people mostly post when they're unhappy about something, let me break that chain.

I'd like to thank Audi for not spending a ton of money on manual trans cars. By reducing the dual-platform requirements, this allows Audi to sell me cars at a slightly lower cost. I *certainly* understand the appeal of manual trans cars, as I had a 6MT USP A4 just 3 cars ago....and had a few American muscle gear rowers in my past. I just don't see manual trans cars surviving.

Even BMW is heading that way too. http://www.bmwofnorthhaven.com/blog/...ons-and-specs/

Now if Audi would only recoup those dollars and use them to certify the TT RS Roadster in the states, or to bring the RS3 hatch or RS6....

[lemonlime]

Because people mostly post when they're unhappy about something, let me break that chain.

I'd like to thank Audi for not spending a ton of money on manual trans cars. By reducing the dual-platform requirements, this allows Audi to sell me cars at a slightly lower cost. I *certainly* understand the appeal of manual trans cars, as I had a 6MT USP A4 just 3 cars ago....and had a few American muscle gear rowers in my past. I just don't see manual trans cars surviving.

Even BMW is heading that way too. http://www.bmwofnorthhaven.com/blog/...ons-and-specs/

Now if Audi would only recoup those dollars and use them to certify the TT RS Roadster in the states, or to bring the RS3 hatch or RS6....

Everything you've said makes sense, except the "...sell me cars at a slightly lower cost..." piece. The autos/DSG were always the pricier versions over their auto cousins. Audi isn't interested in *saving* us money, they're interested in *taking* our money. :)

[Saracen]

this allows Audi to sell me cars at a slightly lower cost.

No it doesn't. It lets Audi fatten their profit margin.

Certifying a TT-RS roadster or an RS3 avant in the U.S. is more complicated than a different transmission for the same body.

They wouldn't bring the B7 RS4 Avant to the US because "it wouldn't sell." Instead they bring the B7 RS4 convertible, a stodgy looking thing that only sold a few hundred copies. There is no way that a B7 RS4 Avant would not have outsold that thing.

They should change their motto to "Vorsprung durch Buchhaltung."

Audi has lost me as a new car owner until they sell us S and RS models with manual transmissions, or sell us the RS4/6 Avant, or both (ideally both).

Until then I'll be planning to buy a Panamera Sport Turismo..

[SteelyS6]

Agreed it's only about dollars, I plan on keeping my C5 allroad with 6 spd forever. I also want to find a C5 S6 and swap it to manual. I like the look of the B8.5 allroad and even the B9 looks are growing on me, but 2.0 with an automatic and that's it, is just boring. The only Audi that has even remotely appealed to me in the last 12 years is the RS7. Hopefully Audi finds their way again but I doubt it.

[VVG]

How about the simple fact that the very few people want manual cars any more. If there was the demand, they would certainly be built, but there just isn't. A few people on an enthusiast forum doesn't signify demand. I drove manuals for over 34 years, but the fact is that there is no benefit to them any more other than a subjective experience. There clearly used to be a time when manuals offered far better performance and fuel economy over automatics. That simply isn't the case any more. And for me, after 34 years of manual ownership, the thrill just isn't there anymore, and I enjoy the flexibility and superior performance of our 3 dual clutch cars. My wife feels the same way. She had driven manuals her whole life. Her S3 is her first non-manual car, and she doesn't miss it one bit. Rapid fire manual shifts when you want it; stick it in drive in a traffic jam.

[Jacon]

I stopped by Audi Ft Worth this last weekend and they mentioned several people have ordered manuals now that they're available. Resurgence maybe (hopefully)?

The baby boomers and Gen X'ers are usually the only ones who can afford a RS model and coincidentally the only ones who can still drive a manual. Americans idolize sports cars and the high-end luxury models (marketers know this). Advertise them with manuals (but offer both) and it's possible you might just #savethemanuals

Lastly, I HATE that you can't shift directly from 2->5 in a DSG or semi-manual automatic and have to shift sequentially. I won't buy a DSG for this reason. I get my gas mileage because I can shift from 2->5 or 2->6 in traffic. What's more annoying than a manual in traffic? Having to click the damn paddle 3 times to down/upshift when I don't need the gears inbetween. Just because the R18 boys have to do it at Spa and LeMans doesn't mean I want to do it in everyday conditions.

Oh yeah, you want to get rid of distracted driving? Force everyone to use all four limbs to operate a vehicle. I swear that drivers would pay more attention if they were FULLY engaged in the operation of the vehicle.

#SaveTheManuals

[Jacon]

Because people mostly post when they're unhappy about something, let me break that chain.

I'd like to thank Audi for not spending a ton of money on manual trans cars. By reducing the dual-platform requirements, this allows Audi to sell me cars at a slightly lower cost. I *certainly* understand the appeal of manual trans cars, as I had a 6MT USP A4 just 3 cars ago....and had a few American muscle gear rowers in my past. I just don't see manual trans cars surviving.

Even BMW is heading that way too. http://www.bmwofnorthhaven.com/blog/...ons-and-specs/

Now if Audi would only recoup those dollars and use them to certify the TT RS Roadster in the states, or to bring the RS3 hatch or RS6....

You'll NEVER see the "lower cost" of Audi's decisions passed on to you. NEVER. Luxury manufactures charge based on market conditions and never "cost." They're making luxury sport sedans, not Chevy Aveos...

VAG invested 6billion into the MQB platform which is their initiative to lower cost. It allows them to quickly switch between model lines on the factory floor which lowers cost. Swapping a manual to an auto DSG on the factory is peanuts for them...

[b6Hate4]

Because people mostly post when they're unhappy about something, let me break that chain.

I'd like to thank Audi for not spending a ton of money on manual trans cars. By reducing the dual-platform requirements, this allows Audi to sell me cars at a slightly lower cost. I *certainly* understand the appeal of manual trans cars, as I had a 6MT USP A4 just 3 cars ago....and had a few American muscle gear rowers in my past. I just don't see manual trans cars surviving.

Even BMW is heading that way too. http://www.bmwofnorthhaven.com/blog/...ons-and-specs/

Now if Audi would only recoup those dollars and use them to certify the TT RS Roadster in the states, or to bring the RS3 hatch or RS6....

Lol

[RjkooooS4]

Said nobody ever. I can pass corner and do everything you can and better yet.

[DrGER]

"I plan on keeping my C5 allroad with 6 spd forever."

I was planning on keeping our '17 A4Q 6MT P+ with Sport Plus & Tech packages that we found in Colorado last March (less than 10 months ago ) for at least a few years, but then this happens, out-of-the-blue, by a teenager driving dad's old Toyota Camry while we're stopped at a traffic signal on a four-lane highway in NW OH on the Sunday before New Years:


Insurer of the at-fault vehicle is State Farm; they have us in a 2023 A3 DSG rental now for a week and awaiting an assessment of the damage by the local dealer body shop manager. --g