Back in February, CARmag.co.za broke the news that BMW had killed off the manual versions of its M3 and M4. Volkswagen, of course, had done the same with its GTI. And now yet more stick-shift models have been discontinued locally.
So, which models have found their way onto the chopping block? Well, Audi has scrapped the entry-level manual version of its A4 in 1,4T FSI guise, meaning that all derivatives in the local range now employ a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission.
BMW, meanwhile, has culled the manual variants of its 120i and M140i (but retain the manual 118i and 120d), as well as removed the option of a third pedal for the 220i, 230i and M240i (again, keeping the 220d and thankfully also the M2 available in manual).
As we reported previously, too, Volkswagen has called time on the manual version of its Polo GTI (it remains to be seen whether VW South Africa will bring in the stick-shift versions of the upcoming Polo GTI), as well as the entry-level Scirocco 2,0TSI Highline manual and Jetta 1,6TDI Comfortline manual.
Volvo, too, has discontinued the base Volvo S60, which had been offered in T3 Kinetic manual guise.
Why have these manufacturers all taken this stance? Well, they're simply responding to what the market wants ... and the market wants self-shifters, it seems. Indeed, Audi Sport has already explained why it is killing off the option of the manual transmission, and it's all basically down to a lack of demand.
Still, there are a few brands bucking the trend. Porsche, for example, says the manual gearbox will never die, while Jaguar SA added three-pedal versions of its F-Type back in March.
Also read:
- 11 cheapest six-cylinder passenger vehicles in SA
- 8 most expensive four-cylinder vehicles in SA…
- 7 most powerful sedans on SA’s new vehicle market
- 7 most powerful SUVs on SA’s new vehicle market
- 5 most expensive double-cab bakkies in South Africa
- 9 dirtiest hatchbacks on SA’s new car market
- 5 biggest engines on South Africa’s new car market
- 7 most expensive SUVs on SA’s new vehicle market
- 5 cheapest rear-wheel-drive cars in South Africa
- 50 best-selling vehicles in the world in 2016…
- 7 most fuel-efficient double-cab bakkies in SA
- 6 most powerful naturally aspirated new cars in SA
- 5 cheapest new cars in SA with 200 kW or more
- 5 most powerful manual cars you can buy new in SA
- 5 double-cab bakkies that make the most torque…
- 5 bakkies we think South Africa would go crazy for
- 5 of the most blatant copycat cars out of China
- 5 big bakkies South Africa might want but can’t have
- 5 cheapest automatics on SA’s new vehicle market
- South Africa’s 5 cheapest vehicles with low-range
- 5 most fuel-efficient cars we’ve recently tested
- 7 most fuel-efficient non-hybrid petrol cars in SA
- 5 most fuel-efficient non-hybrid diesel cars in SA
Original article from Car