Audi will drop manual gearboxes for S4 and S5 in Europe

2012 Audi S5 facelift 13.07.2011

U.S. enthusiasts get to keep the manual transmission option while Europe will be strictly DSG

Audi will be dropping manual gearboxes in the S4 and S5 range in Europe, according to a report by Fourtitude.com.

The report states that Audi will keep offering a six-speed manual for the 2012 Audi S4 and S5 models in the United States but that the European editions will only be offered with the seven-speed S-tronic (DSG) gearbox. The report doesn't specify when the manual option expires but did state that the six-speed gearbox is no longer available in some online configurators for Europe.

Audi of America's product planning manager Barry Hoch confirmed the news to Fourtitude.com in an e-mail.

"They (Europe) lose the manual. We keep the manual! 100% confirmed, although I don't know what other markets also get to keep it. I don't want to fear for my life when I leave the office. The manual transmission enthusiasts are... umm... passionate individuals. Save the Manuals!" wrote Hoch.

Source: Fourtitude.com

2012 Audi A4 / S4 facelift revealed [videos]
(42 comments)
2012 Audi A5/S5 facelift revealed
(27 comments)

Add a Comment

Comments (12)

newest first oldest first

Subscribe to comments

SPORTINGUISTA_29

I like those cars

November 8, 2011 9:23 am

report abuse | reply

autoficianado

I would dare say there would be more Europeans buying a manual transmission than Americans

November 8, 2011 9:34 am

report abuse | reply

1 reply

Targa_Florio

For normal cars yes, for sport cars no: the aim of the sport cars buyers is to differentiate, which means in US if you want to differentiate from the mass (automated gearboxes) you get a manual, in Europe if you want to differentiate from the mass (manual gearboxes) you get an automated.

November 8, 2011 11:17 pm

report abuse | reply

norther

well, you heard them. so, hurry up and buy if you still want a manual

November 8, 2011 10:07 am

report abuse | reply

Fxtrader85

Can't wait to see what Clarkson thinks about that......

-1

November 8, 2011 10:25 am

report abuse | reply

2 replies

VonProv

You already know what Clarkson thinks about this. You just don't know HOW he will say it...

November 8, 2011 11:09 am

report abuse | reply

sideskraper

The real question is, who cares?

November 9, 2011 4:40 am

report abuse | reply

dbehmoaras

The death of the clutch is depressing. Looks like I will be keeping my A4 for years and turning it into a project car. Look to get 350bhp out of the 2.0L. I'll let you all know how it goes in 10 yrs when I finally get to it.

November 8, 2011 12:06 pm

report abuse | reply

shaahinmt

haha audi! u so dum.

November 8, 2011 1:16 pm

report abuse | reply

1 reply

CReeds

By far the most intelligent comment yet.

November 8, 2011 4:54 pm

report abuse | reply

Microice

Lambo and Ferrari are doing it too so I guess the trend will spread but as these decissions are market based you tend to wonder what sorta people are buying these sports cars.

November 8, 2011 9:39 pm

report abuse | reply

AndrewBad

Surely this is an indication of the type of drivers signing up for high-performance Audi's?! I cannot comment on others, but personally I'll own a stick until the day I die or am forced towards an auto box through no available choice of an alternative. I can understand autos & traffic issues on the daily commute, but those owning high performance cars often use them for weekend runs. Anyway, I'm obviously becoming less of a statistic by the looks of things!

November 17, 2011 6:45 am

report abuse | reply