Just when an earlier study suggested that teenagers today prefer owning smartphones and electronic devices over owning a car, a local study by news channel Sacramento News10 revealed that there is a resurgence of manual transmission automobiles for young drivers.

Worried about teen drivers texting and driving, parents have started a trend of purchasing stick shift vehicles for their teens in hopes to keep them focused on the task at hand rather than diverting their attention away from the road. The DMV also provides useful stick shift tips for first time drivers including “don’t panic.” News10 started a discussion via Facebook on the resurgence of manual transmission vehicles and viewers have responded positively. One perk stick shift owners said they enjoyed was the better fuel efficiency their vehicle can achieve.

While manual transmission vehicles have remained popular in Europe and Asia, its market in North America has shrunk to approximately 5.5 percent, a number likely made up of mostly driving enthusiasts. If the appreciation of manual transmission vehicles are rekindled within younger drivers, then not only would more Americans pay attention when they are driving, but perhaps the joy of driving might be rediscovered as well. Show your support and join other drivers in the “hang up and drive” movement here at News10.net.

[Source: News10]

Audi drivers across the pond are getting the short end of the stick, or to be more precise: no stick at all.

What’s all this stick business, you may ask? The new version of the Audi S4 and S5 will only be available with an automatic transmission in Europe, cue the snickers and sneers from North American driving enthusiasts. It’s an unusual move, considering we’re usually the ones getting shafted with an auto-only option in cars where Europeans get a choice, but sure enough according to an article on Fourtitude, and Audi news blog, the decision is made.

This still may be a signal of things to come, but at least for the upcoming generation it seems the S4 and S5 will be available witha six-speed manual.

Barry Hoch, product planning manager for Audi of America confirmed that Europeans will lose the manual while North Americans will keep it. 100 percent confirmed, although I don’t know what other markets also get to keep it,” he said in an email to Fourtitude.

The move to S-tronic transmissions does make sense from a performance standpoint. Shorter shifts, better straight line performance and friendlier fuel economy sweeten the package in theory, but try telling that to someone as they slash through a manual gearbox on a winding road. You’re better off trying to debate Socrates.

Debates aside it’s hard not to see the future creeping in. Lamborghini and Ferrari have already adopted “automatic” dual clutch transmissions as their current standard. If the decision seems to be trickling down from the supercar market into Europe, we may expect to see similar changes in the future.

That, however, is conjecture. Focus on the positive for now, manual S4s and S5s are still available to those in North America who want them.

[Source: Fourtitude]

Sadly, manual transmissions are a dying breed. For many, the convenience of an automatic far outweighs the many advantages of driving stick, from the lower cost of the car, to improved driving enjoyment and vehicle control, to better fuel economy (although those pesky dual-clutch units are starting to make this argument obsolete).

Several months ago MINI announced the launch of a new “Manualhood” marketing campaign aimed at getting drivers to choose three pedals over two, while simultaneously  building up the brand’s enthusiast appeal. More recently, the quirky British automaker followed up with its “Becoming a Manual” PSA video.

At the recent launch of the new MINI Coupe (review here), brand boss Jim McDowell didn’t provide any specifics on how the new campaign is going but he did point out just how popular stick-shift transmissions already are with MINI drivers. While total sales of manual transmission models make up just five to six percent of all vehicles sold in the U.S. each year, the take rate for MINI buyers is vastly higher at 34 percent. Depending on the region, that number can be even higher, with roughly half (49%) of all MINIs sold in New England being manuals.

Long live the stick-shift!

As automotive technology and innovation continue at breakneck speed, car enthusiasts and traditionalists have been quite outspoken in their opposition against sequential gearboxes and dual clutch systems, arguing that there’s an irreplaceable purity from rowing your own gears.

To the men and women who love to drive, don’t despair. Porsche has been listening. According to Porsche CEO, Matthias Muller, the 911 will offer a manual transmission for as long as it is in demand, which loosely translates to forever. Moreover, an all new, world’s first 7-speed manual was introduced just for the latest Porsche flagship sports car.

The good news doesn’t stop there. Muller also confirms that the 911 GT3 will still be manual as well, denying past allegations of otherwise.

Driving enthusiasts rejoice! Go Porsche!

GALLERY: Porsche 911

[Source: Motortrend]

MINI has launched a new marketing campaign entitled ‘Manualhood’ which celebrates the manual transmissions found in the hardtop, Clubman, convertible, and Countryman. MINI is hoping to entice even more manual-friendly buyers into showrooms that feature a full line of vehicles offering manual transmissions.

The campaign also provides a platform to teach drivers how to operate a manual transmission vehicle, and enables the MINI dealers to promote the great benefits of driving a manual. Manual transmission MINIs offer a lower starting price, better mpg, technology like Hill Start Assist, Increased performance and control.

In mid-August MINI dealers in the US will receive a “Manualhood” kit which includes a “MINI Manual Driving School” for driver training. Other goodies included in the kit include floor mats, buttons, door magnets, boot decals and a “Manualhood” handbook.

With Ferrari having done away with manual transmissions already, Lamborghini is the next supercar manufacturer to follow the two-pedal trend, with the Bolognese outfit announcing that the next Gallardo will not be available with a manual gearbox, similar to its Aventador sibling.

Car enthusiasts will undoubtedly cry foul at this announcement, but Lamborghini R&D boss Maurizio Reggiani claims that as little as 1 percent of Lamborghini cars leave the factory with a stick-shift. The Gallardo is available with the proprietary e-gear sequential gearbox, while the Aventador’s new 7-speed ISR system has been universally praised by critics.

While manual transmissions are arguably more fun, Lamborghini argues that the dual purpose nature of their cars (comfortable around town, blindingly fast on the open road) can only be actualized with an automated paddle-shift transmission, stating that the manual gearbox offers an interruption in the vehicle’s various functions. We’d argue that perfection has a price, and it’s one we’re willing to pay, but customers have evidently voted with their wallets, and Lamborghini has listened loud and clear.

[Source: Motor Trend]

Cadillac is dropping the option of a 6-speed manual gearbox on their 2012 model year CTS Coupe and Sedan models equipped with the 3.6L V6 engine.

While the high-performance, V8 powered CTS-V range will still give buyers the option to change their own gears, regular versions of the CTS will now have a sole transmission choice, a 6-speed automatic. Interestingly, the base model CTS with the 3.0L V6 will be offered with a stick shift, but this configuration will only be available as a 4-door sedan.

While GM declined to give a reason for nixing the manual, take rates were likely so low that the company couldn’t justify continuing to offer it.

[Source: Inside Line]

From Europe to Japan it seems like everyone gets better versions of cars than we do here in North America. Whether it’s a higher-performance Subaru WRX STI, a V-Spec GT-R or a Mercedes SL65 Black Series that weights 200-lbs less than ours because of carbon-fiber seats that don’t meet our safety regulations.

But now, if you’re the proud owner of an Infiniti G37 6MT, you can either call a random 75-digit European phone number and taunt whoever picks up at the other end, or you can express your sincerest sympathies. Why? Because those usually-lucky Europeans don’t get to enjoy any Infiniti model with a stick shift.

That’s right, in a region of the world where manuals are more common than automatics, the luxury brand has decided not to offer a stick shift, despite it being available in every other market Infiniti sells in.

So if you do own a stick-shift Infiniti, cherish it, because while we might miss out on a lot of cool cars, this one we get to enjoy.

Car and Driver’s campaign to “Save the Manuals” campaign is spreading, with Consumers Reports doing their part for the movement by compiling a comprehensive list of all new cars available with a manual gearbox.

A few years ago, you could find some real oddities with a stick shift – a BMW X5 for example. Now, the list is largely what you’d expect; compact pickups, economy cars, the occasional luxury sedan with sporting pretensions, and of course, performance cars.

But there is one totally-out-of-left-field choice on the list that stands out from the others; the Mercury Milan (though not the hybrid pictured above), which can be had with a stick like its Ford Fusion counterpart. Better act fast if you want one.

Hit the jump to see the full list of cars that will let you shift for yourself

[Source: Consumers Reports]

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