In a world increasingly dominated by automatics and dual-clutch transmissions, the allure of a manual gearbox remains strong for many enthusiasts․ The tactile experience of rowing through gears, the precise control over engine speed, and the visceral connection to the car’s mechanics provide a level of engagement that simply can’t be replicated by an automatic․ For those seeking this driving experience in a luxury sports car, 2020 offered a handful of enticing options․
- 1․ Porsche 911
- 2․ BMW M3
- 3․ Chevrolet Corvette
- 4․ Ford Mustang
- 5․ Subaru BRZ
- 6․ Mazda MX-5 Miata
- 7․ Toyota Supra
- 8․ Nissan 370Z
- 9․ Audi R8
- 10․ Lamborghini Huracán
- 11․ Ferrari 488 GTE
- 12․ McLaren 720S
- 13․ Aston Martin Vantage
- 14․ Lotus Exige
- 15․ Alpine A110
- 16; Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
- 17․ Lexus LC 500
- 18․ Mercedes-AMG GT
- 19․ Audi RS 5
- 20․ BMW M8
1․ Porsche 911
The iconic Porsche 911 remains a benchmark in the sports car world, and its manual transmission option continues to be a cherished feature․ The 911’s naturally aspirated flat-six engine and precise six-speed manual gearbox deliver a truly exhilarating driving experience․ From the base Carrera to the high-performance GT3, the 911’s manual transmission option allows drivers to extract the maximum from its legendary performance․
2․ BMW M3
The BMW M3 is another legendary sports car that offers a manual transmission option․ The M3’s powerful inline-six engine and six-speed manual gearbox provide a truly engaging driving experience․ While the dual-clutch transmission is quicker, the manual gearbox allows for a more connected and rewarding drive․
3․ Chevrolet Corvette
The Chevrolet Corvette, a true American icon, offers a seven-speed manual transmission option․ The Corvette’s potent V8 engine and manual gearbox make for an exhilarating driving experience․ The Corvette’s manual transmission is known for its smooth shifts and precise engagement, providing a rewarding driving experience․
4․ Ford Mustang
The Ford Mustang, a classic muscle car, offers a six-speed manual transmission option․ The Mustang’s V8 engine and manual gearbox deliver a powerful and engaging driving experience․ The Mustang’s manual transmission is known for its smooth shifts and clutch feel, making it a joy to drive․
5․ Subaru BRZ
The Subaru BRZ, a lightweight and agile sports car, offers a six-speed manual transmission option․ The BRZ’s naturally aspirated flat-four engine and manual gearbox provide a fun and rewarding driving experience․ The BRZ’s manual transmission is known for its precise shifts and smooth engagement, making it a pleasure to drive on twisty roads․
6․ Mazda MX-5 Miata
The Mazda MX-5 Miata, a roadster renowned for its fun-to-drive nature, offers a six-speed manual transmission option․ The Miata’s peppy four-cylinder engine and manual gearbox make for a truly engaging driving experience․ The Miata’s manual transmission is known for its light and precise shifts, making it a joy to drive on winding roads․
7․ Toyota Supra
The Toyota Supra, a legendary sports car reborn, offers an eight-speed manual transmission option․ The Supra’s powerful inline-six engine and manual gearbox deliver a truly exhilarating driving experience․ The Supra’s manual transmission is known for its smooth shifts and precise engagement, providing a rewarding driving experience․
8․ Nissan 370Z
The Nissan 370Z, a sports car known for its affordable price and engaging driving dynamics, offers a six-speed manual transmission option․ The 370Z’s V6 engine and manual gearbox deliver a fun and rewarding driving experience․ The 370Z’s manual transmission is known for its smooth shifts and precise engagement, making it a pleasure to drive on twisty roads․
9․ Audi R8
The Audi R8, a supercar renowned for its performance and sophistication, offers a seven-speed manual transmission option․ The R8’s powerful V10 engine and manual gearbox deliver a truly exhilarating driving experience․ The R8’s manual transmission is known for its smooth shifts and precise engagement, providing a rewarding driving experience․
10․ Lamborghini Huracán
The Lamborghini Huracán, a supercar known for its aggressive styling and blistering performance, offers a seven-speed manual transmission option․ The Huracán’s naturally aspirated V10 engine and manual gearbox deliver a truly visceral driving experience․ The Huracán’s manual transmission is known for its smooth shifts and precise engagement, making it a joy to drive on the track․
11․ Ferrari 488 GTE
The Ferrari 488 GTE, a race-inspired supercar, offers a seven-speed manual transmission option․ The 488 GTE’s powerful V8 engine and manual gearbox deliver a truly exhilarating driving experience․ The 488 GTE’s manual transmission is known for its smooth shifts and precise engagement, providing a rewarding driving experience on the track․
12․ McLaren 720S
The McLaren 720S, a supercar renowned for its aerodynamic design and blistering performance, offers a seven-speed manual transmission option․ The 720S’s powerful twin-turbocharged V8 engine and manual gearbox deliver a truly exhilarating driving experience․ The 720S’s manual transmission is known for its smooth shifts and precise engagement, providing a rewarding driving experience on the track․
13․ Aston Martin Vantage
The Aston Martin Vantage, a sports car known for its elegant design and thrilling performance, offers a seven-speed manual transmission option․ The Vantage’s powerful V8 engine and manual gearbox deliver a truly engaging driving experience․ The Vantage’s manual transmission is known for its smooth shifts and precise engagement, providing a rewarding driving experience on twisty roads․
14․ Lotus Exige
The Lotus Exige, a lightweight and agile sports car, offers a six-speed manual transmission option․ The Exige’s powerful supercharged four-cylinder engine and manual gearbox deliver a truly exhilarating driving experience․ The Exige’s manual transmission is known for its precise shifts and smooth engagement, making it a joy to drive on winding roads․
15․ Alpine A110
The Alpine A110, a modern interpretation of a classic sports car, offers a seven-speed manual transmission option․ The A110’s turbocharged four-cylinder engine and manual gearbox deliver a truly engaging driving experience․ The A110’s manual transmission is known for its smooth shifts and precise engagement, making it a pleasure to drive on twisty roads․
16; Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio
The Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio, a sports sedan known for its performance and Italian flair, offers a six-speed manual transmission option․ The Giulia Quadrifoglio’s powerful V6 engine and manual gearbox deliver a truly exhilarating driving experience․ The Giulia Quadrifoglio’s manual transmission is known for its smooth shifts and precise engagement, providing a rewarding driving experience․
17․ Lexus LC 500
The Lexus LC 500, a grand tourer known for its luxurious interior and powerful V8 engine, offers a ten-speed automatic transmission option․ While not a manual, the LC 500’s transmission is known for its smooth shifts and responsive performance, providing a luxurious and engaging driving experience․
18․ Mercedes-AMG GT
The Mercedes-AMG GT, a sports car known for its performance and sophisticated styling, offers a seven-speed dual-clutch transmission option․ While not a manual, the AMG GT’s transmission is known for its lightning-fast shifts and responsive performance, providing a truly exhilarating driving experience․
19․ Audi RS 5
The Audi RS 5, a high-performance coupe known for its sleek design and powerful engine, offers an eight-speed automatic transmission option․ While not a manual, the RS 5’s transmission is known for its smooth shifts and responsive performance, providing a luxurious and engaging driving experience․
20․ BMW M8
The BMW M8, a high-performance coupe known for its luxurious interior and powerful engine, offers an eight-speed automatic transmission option․ While not a manual, the M8’s transmission is known for its smooth shifts and responsive performance, providing a luxurious and engaging driving experience․
This list represents just a few of the luxury sports cars that offered manual transmission options in 2020․ While the number of manual transmission options may be shrinking, the allure of a manual gearbox remains strong for many enthusiasts․ For those seeking the ultimate driving experience, a manual transmission can make all the difference․