manuals going the way of the Dodo

[RXBG]

In the recent EVO, Ferrari CEO Amedeo Felisa was asked about a manual for the new 458. In fact, in regards to the new DCT system, the question was worded, "Is this the end of manual gearboxes in Ferraris?"

His response:

"Yes, it is. The 458 will not be available as a manual, nor will future Ferraris as customers no longer request one".

So, I bring this up for those like RXBG that are very fond of manuals. Now, let's be honest, I doubt any would say that a brand as a whole is more sporty than Ferrari, so if Ferrari says they are out, it is only a matter of time before the other "halo" sports brands follow suit.

So the fact that the GT-R is "only" available as an "auto" is a no issue since this is the trend. Hell, even Eric was suggesting Porsche should be giving the customer the choice of PDK.

"Times, they are a changing..."

Ben

simple Ben,

the buyers dictate what is sold. each car co. indirectly represents the desires of its particular buyer group. the typical exotic car buyer will whore himself out to whatever is the latest or greatest just because they can and wish to have the latest and the greatest even if they never track it and simply drive to the golf club at low speeds so their toupe doesn't fall off. times will always change, gone are the days of the model a and t with the manual spark starter system. the day will come when, car culture having become so identical and homogenized, will have have one car manufacturer suddenly revert back to a manual tranny of some sort "to provide a genuine driving experience"- and watch that option cost MORE than a DSG or TSG or whatever is standard at the time. it will be named car of the year by motor trend and so on....

ferrari sells what it has to sell. i have never been a fan of porsche, but i have deep respect for them as a company for their dedication to traditional driving- making a point of it with the CGT having only a manual. look at a CGT or ENZO side by side- in general the CGT will many more miles- and you can actually have a conversation with the driver.

imo, ferrari is a sell out. even if only on principle it should offer a manual option - regardless of what the marketing department says.

no matter what happens in the future i will always feel this way:

three pedals = driving
two pedals = guiding

yes. this applies to schumaker in his F1 car too.

PS: if tomorrow ferrari starts making cars with optional automated steering wheels that's what ferrari drivers will order. i can promise you that. and 5 years later when 95% of buyers only spec their cars that way ferrari will stop making cars with steering wheels.