FEATURE
SWAP GEAR
Is the manual gearbox making a last-minute comeback? Ted Welford takes a look at some of the performance cars you can still get with a manual shifter.
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t’s no secret that manual gearboxes have been dwindling in popularity in recent years, with many car buyers simply not interested in changing gear themselves. And as no hybrid or electric car is likely to be offered with a traditional gearstick, the days of finding a manual gearbox in a new car are truly numbered. It’s true of performance cars, too, with very few actually being supplied with anything that isn’t an auto ’box. But it’s not over just yet, with several manufacturers in recent months saying their performance cars will still be offered with a stick shift. And none more so than Toyota, which has just revealed its GR Supra with a manual gearbox, as the brand aims to cater more to the driving enthusiast market. But what other new performance cars can you still get with a manual shifter? Let’s take a look...
Porsche 911 GT3
Toyota GR86
Toyota is really catering to the sports car market, with its GR Supra and GR Yaris getting the brand’s performance division off to an incredible start. But it’s the GR86 that really seems to have hit the nail on the head, with its sub-£30,000 pricing making it one of the most affordable sporting models on the market. Given that the entire UK allocation for the GR86 managed to sell out in just 90 minutes, it’s testament to the fact there are still plenty of buyers wanting a fun sports car with a manual gearbox.
Buying a new manual supercar in 2022 is pretty much impossible, but one exception to that rule is the magnificent Porsche 911 GT3. Coming with a naturally aspirated 4.0-litre flat-six engine and the choice of manual or PDK automatic gearbox, the manual is by far the better option if you really want to enjoy your GT3. The GT3 offers fierce performance and a fiery, analogue character that you don’t get from modern performance cars. But with a £131,500 starting price, it certainly isn’t a car that many will be able to enjoy. 38 | CarDealerMag.co.uk
