Jaguar to bring back manual transmissions starting with F-Type
Could we be witnessing a resurgence of the now-antiquated manual transmission? We’ve talked a few times before about the slowly but surely disappearing proper manual transmission in favor of manu-matics and paddle shifting mechanisms among modern cars in all categories, but this might just be changing again. BMW has been one of the few marques that still offers manual transmissions, but it looks like Jaguar will be joining. Not only will the F-Type be removing the dial shifter seen in other modern Jags, but a proper stick will find its way in the new sports car first. There has been word that a manual transmission might find its way into the XF as well. In fact, the most recent manual to be offered from Jag was in their lame duck X-Type, a car that really didn’t necessarily benefit from the sportier option. Jaguar global brand director, Andrew Hallmark, correctly noted “Sports cars need a manual transmission for sports credibility.” It’s been noted that it will be at least a year before we see a manual in the F-Type, and other Jags will continue to use a 9-speed auto for the time being.
-Evan W.
Full story at Autoblog