The final shift: Which manual transmission will be the last?
Enlarge (credit: Aurich Lawson)
Despite car enthusiasts' best efforts, the manual transmission's days are numbered. Blame it on electrification, future autonomous technologies, or the fact that kids these days just don't care about driving. Whatever helps you cope with this inevitability, the demise of the stick shift is not an "if," it's a "when."
That's not to say the manual's death will be quick; plenty of companies continue to offer three-pedal setups. But who will be the final holdout, the last bastion of the DIY gearbox? Will it be a sports car or an out-of-left-field contender? Put on your speculation cap as we explore some potential scenarios.
Option 1: PorscheArguably no car company is as committed to stick shifts as Porsche. The German automaker offers six- and seven-speed gearboxes in multiple models across its 718 and 911 car lines and continues to do so despite competitors discontinuing their manual options.