All posts in “manual transmission”

Toyota May Consider a Manual Transmission for the new Supra

Enthusiasts Want What Enthusiasts Want

The new Toyota Supra is a car built for racers, sports car enthusiasts, and anyone who likes sporty cars in general. That crowd of people seems a bit miffed by the lack of a manual transmission in the new car. However, according to Carscoops, a manual could be coming for the Supra. 

Tetsuya Tada is the chief engineer for the car. He told journalists if there was enough of an uproar for the new A90 Supra to get a manual transmission that Toyota would put one in. It all depends on the buyers and what they want. That means you’d better get to the Supra forums and social media and raise hell if you want a manual.

According to Tada-san, it would take “a persistent, overwhelming demand” for Toyota to put a regular manual transmission in the car. To me, that says Toyota doesn’t want to do it. However, I’m sure the company would if its fans all-out revolted.

Could a Manual Make the Supra Awesome?

There’s already mixed opinions of the new Supra. While the car doesn’t look all that much like the BMW Z4, under the skin it’s essentially the same car but with less power. In other words, some Supra fans feel cheated. A manual transmission may be the salve they need to heal their wounds and feel good about the car. 

2020 Toyota Supra interior2020 Toyota Supra interior
Image from Carscoops

Tada-san also noted that Toyota tested with manual transmissions, so it would seem that the company has a manual to use. However, one detail may throw a wrench in the solution.

The manual transmission was tested in markets that use right-hand-drive cars, meaning Toyota would have to flip things around for the North American market. It will be interesting to see what Toyota fans do and subsequently what Toyota does. 

Could the 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 Get a Manual?

We Know You Want to Row Your Own Gears

The 2020 Ford Mustang Shelby GT500 will come with a dual-clutch automatic transmission (DTC) with paddle shifters instead of the manual transmission many enthusiasts wished it had. However, Carl Widdman, head engineer for Ford Performance and the Mustang, didn’t rule out a manual for Ford’s 700-plus hp Mustang. That means it could get a manual transmission.

Road and Track talked with Widdman at the North American International Auto Show in Detroit where the car made its debut. Widdman didn’t rule out the possibility of a manual transmission at some point. In fact, he seemed to hint that the muscle car could come with one at some point. 

The all-new Shelby GT500–the pinnacle of any pony car ever engineered by Ford Performance–delivers on its heritage with more than 700 horsepower for the quickest street-legal acceleration and most high-performance technology to date ever offered in a Ford Mustang.The all-new Shelby GT500–the pinnacle of any pony car ever engineered by Ford Performance–delivers on its heritage with more than 700 horsepower for the quickest street-legal acceleration and most high-performance technology to date ever offered in a Ford Mustang.
Image from Ford

When asked if the GT500 could get a manual transmission in later months, Widman said, “Right now, we’re DCT-only, [but] we get feedback, and we’re real tight with the Mustang crowd. We always listen to what our customers want, right?” 

That’s not a confirmation that the GT500 will get a manual transmission, but it’s certainly not a no. It would seem that Ford Performance is open to the idea. Why wouldn’t they be? If they’re going to miss out on sales because of the lack of a manual, then it only makes sense to put one in there.

Road and track also tried to find out if the Mustang GT350 or other versions of the Mustang would get the GT500’s slick new DCT from Tremec, and Widdman said no. That’s a shame because of the fact that the DTC in the GT500 shifts faster and can handle more torque than the current 10-speed automatic in the regular Mustang.