Tag Archives: manual transmission

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Toyota Gazoo Racing committed to keep engines, manual transmissions alive

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High-performance vehicles, internal combustion engines, and manual transmissions.

This is the recipe that Toyota Gazoo Racing aims to uphold for an extended period, signaling good news for its fans worldwide.

In a report by CarSales AU, Toyota Australia executive Sean Hanley stated, “Internal combustion engines and manual transmissions will continue to be maintained for the long term.”

This approach does not mean that Toyota is completely sidelining modern technology for its Gazoo Racing models.

Toyota has previously explored the possibility of replacing petrol with hydrogen for internal combustion engines, even testing this concept extensively through participation in major races.

Currently, Toyota offers four high-performance models (GR Yaris, GR Supra, GR86, and GR Corolla), and this family of performance vehicles is expected to be joined by new models such as the GR GT3, Celica, and MR2, according to various sources.

There are also reports that Toyota is collaborating with Mazda to develop a sports car featuring a straight-six engine — could this be a replacement for the existing GR Supra?

Whatever Toyota has in store for the future, Hanley wants the Gazoo Racing sub-brand to be better recognized for “the sound, smell, and feel of internal combustion engines.”

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It is super important to keep manual transmission – Porsche GT boss

Porsche is one of the few sports car manufacturers that remains committed to offering models with a manual transmission.

In some markets, you can still obtain a manual 718, but for the 911 family, this option is now limited to the GT3 and Carrera T variants only.

Despite being described as a nearly extinct transmission, Andreas Preuninger, Director of the GT Model Line at Porsche, believes it is important to continue fighting to preserve the manual transmission at Porsche.

Citing a report from Motor1, Preuninger stated, “From a personal point of view, it is very important to have a manual model.”

“I prefer manual and don’t mind shifting gears myself, especially on the track, knowing exactly that the PDK transmission is faster,” he added.

Preuninger also does not believe that stricter emissions laws will eliminate manual transmissions.

“(Manual) is lighter, which contributes to reductions in emissions and more efficient fuel consumption, and you also have more power at the wheels because the power loss in a manual transmission is lower compared to PDK,” he explained.

“In the real world, manual cars use less gasoline and produce fewer emissions compared to PDK. That is a fact.”

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Toyota Land Cruiser 70 Series now offered with manual transmission, again

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Fans of the Land Cruiser 70 Series in Australia can breathe a sigh of relief as this modern classic off-road SUV is now available again with a manual transmission.

Due to stricter emissions regulations, Toyota had previously ceased sales of the LC70 equipped with the 4.5-liter V8 engine, thus ending the availability of the manual transmission model.

However, Toyota has now reintroduced the manual transmission option for the Land Cruiser 70 Series, which is powered by a turbocharged 2.8-liter diesel engine producing 201 hp and 450 Nm of torque.

Despite having four fewer cylinders, the 2.8-liter engine offers nearly the same horsepower and torque as the V8 model.

In the Australian market, the LC70 is also available in a six-speed automatic version, which increases torque to 500 Nm at an earlier engine speed of around 1,600 rpm, compared to 2,400 rpm in the manual version.

The manual model features a unique gear ratio, with shorter ratios for gears one through three to enhance performance, while the fifth gear has a longer ratio for improved fuel efficiency and reduced engine noise.

Toyota has also installed a new flywheel component but had to remove the hill descent control feature.

The manual version of the Land Cruiser 70 Series starts at a price of AU$77,800 (RM221,033).

In addition to the Australian market, the 40-year-old Land Cruiser 70 Series is also offered in Japan and the United Arab Emirates.

NEWS

Toyota believes majority of buyers will choose manual GR Corolla over automatic

For those who missed the boat, Toyota has previously updated the offering of the hot hatch 2025 GR Corolla model by adding the option of an 8-speed automatic transmission as an alternative to the manual transmission model.

The trend of transitioning to automatic models, which we commonly witnessed before, seems to have difficulty in infecting the GR Corolla enthusiasts.

According to CarBuzz report, Toyota expects that 80 percent of buyers will choose the manual GR Corolla model, while the rest will opt for the Direct Automatic Transmission (DAT) equipped model.

This proves that the GR Corolla buyers are a group of enthusiasts who still yearn for a driving experience as pure as possible.

There are some differences between the existing auto transmission in the GR Corolla compared to the GR Supra and GR86 models.

According to Toyota, the GR Corolla gearbox will use input from the brake pedal and throttle to calculate the optimum time for gear changes.

The auto version of GR Corolla also now comes with a launch control function that is not available in the manual model.

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2026 Honda Prelude will pair a 2.0L hybrid engine with a manual gearbox!

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The hot hatch Civic Type R FL5 appears to not be the last Honda sports model equipped with a manual transmission.

This is because in the latest news emerging from the Land of the Rising Sun, Honda is reported to offer the Prelude with a combination of a hybrid powertrain unit and a manual transmission.


According to sources quoted by Best Car, Honda engineers will match a 2.0-liter hybrid engine borrowed from the Accord model with a six-speed manual gearbox derived from the Civic RS.

It is also said to have the same rev-match function found in the Civic Type R model!

If this news indeed becomes a reality, the Honda Prelude will become Honda’s first hybrid model paired with a manual gearbox after the end of production of the CR-Z hybrid model in 2016.


In the Accord e:HEV model, the 2.0-liter Atkinson cycle hybrid engine is capable of generating up to 204 hp and 335 Nm of torque, channeled to the wheels through an e-CVT transmission.

The Honda Prelude is said to be based on the Honda Civic, with a wheelbase of 2,735 mm remaining constant but the overall length being only about 2,480 mm, shorter than the Civic.

This Honda Prelude will make its official debut in the second half of 2025.

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Hennessey Venom F5-M is the most powerful manual car in the world, boasting 1,817 hp!

Say hello to the most powerful manual transmission roadster in the world, the Hennessey Venom F5-M.

Built based on the Venom F5 Roadster model, the Venom F5-M employs a twin-turbo 6.6-liter V8 engine capable of producing approximately 1,817 hp and 1,618 Nm of torque.

This power is transmitted to the wheels through a six-speed manual transmission, as opposed to the original model’s seven-speed AMT gearbox.

According to Hennessey, the Venom F5-M requires “maximum driver focus” while promising “a more extreme and immersive driving experience.”

To differentiate this model from any standard F5 Roadster, Hennessey has incorporated fairly long dorsal fins (1,400 mm) adorning the rear deck space.

As for the cabin space, the F5-M Roadster comes with new pedal boxes, aluminum/carbon fiber gear shifter with a shift gate made from billet aluminum.

Also presented is the yoke-style steering wheel featuring various functional buttons for the driver’s use.

Only 12 units of the Hennessey Venom F5-M will be produced, each priced at approximately $2.65 million (RM11.51 million) per unit.

It’s no surprise that all units have been sold out before it was even revealed to the public, demonstrating its high value in the eyes of enthusiasts.

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4 high performance cars with manual transmissions

Toyota initially introduced the GR Yaris and GR Corolla with manual transmissions, but the manufacturer is now further enhancing the hot hatch offerings with the more efficient and quicker gear changes of the DAT automatic transmission.

With the continuous advancement of technology, high-performance cars no longer require conventional manual gearboxes to operate more efficiently.

The demand for manual transmission cars is decreasing every year, and some manufacturers are discontinuing manual car offerings due to very low sales percentages.

Do not worry, there are still those who are concerned about your need to continue using a clutch pedal in this modern era, and here is a list of high-performance cars still equipped with manual gearboxes:

 

1. Aston Martin Valour

This British-made sports car is produced in limited quantities worldwide, inspired by the iconic Vantage V8 models of the 70s and 80s.

Equipped with a twin-turbo 5.2-liter V12 engine capable of generating 705 hp, it is paired with a six-speed manual transmission and a mechanical limited-slip differential.

 

2. Gordon Murray Automotive T.33 & T.50

The two high-performance vehicles produced by Gordon Murray Automotive come with a naturally aspirated Cosworth 4.0-liter V12 engine.

The 615 PS/451 Nm power output (or 663 PS/467 Nm in the T.50) is transmitted to the rear wheels through the Xtrac six-speed manual gearbox.

 

3. Koenigsegg CC850

Technically, the CC850 does not come with a manual gearbox.

Instead, it uses the LST, or Light Speed Transmission, with a nine-speed gearbox delivering a power output of 1,201 PS/1,385 Nm to the rear wheels.

However, the CC850 also features a system called Engage Shifter System, where the driver can simulate a six-speed manual gearbox using a physical clutch pedal!

 

4. Pagani Utopia

In theory, this is the most expensive high-performance car with a manual gearbox you can buy on Earth.

The Pagani Utopia comes with a 864 PS and 1,100 Nm V12 Mercedes-AMG engine paired with a seven-speed Xtrac manual gearbox.

Unfortunately, all Utopia production units have already been sold out.

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Pagani Huayra Epitome, V12 hypercar with manual transmission!

Good news for manual transmission enthusiasts.

This is because Pagani has just launched a special edition Huayra model that will debut at this year’s Goodwood Festival of Speed, and yes, it is the first Huayra model equipped with a manual gearbox!

The Pagani Huayra Epitome – epitomizing the pinnacle of Pagani – was created for an ultra-rich customer who truly desired a Huayra with a manual transmission.

 

 

The Xtrac seven-speed gearbox utilizes a state-of-the-art triple-disc clutch system for transferring torque from the powerful twin-turbocharged 6.0-liter V12 Mercedes-AMG engine boasting 852 hp and 1,100 Nm more effectively.

From a technical perspective, the Huayra Epitome has nearly the same power as the Huayra Utopia, allowing it to reach a top speed of 350 km/h.

Pagani engineers also reworked the suspension aspects of this Epitome model to produce a lower roll and pitch effect compared to the standard Huayra.

 

 

However, there is also a “Super Soft” mode to enable owners to enjoy a more serene driving experience on the roads, which will automatically deactivate at a speed of 150 km/h.

The exterior of this Epitome has received slight design touches, especially on the front and rear bumpers, LED lighting system, and larger grilles for more efficient airflow.

At the rear, there is a large wing, followed by a diffuser and four titanium exhaust outlets capable of producing an alluring exhaust note.

 

 

Upon closer inspection, the blue hue used on the body panels of this Huayra Epitome is actually genuine carbon fiber weave.

Lastly, the Huayra Epitome is paired with gold-colored rims and similar accents in a few areas.

According to Pagani, the Grandi Complicazioni division took approximately nine months to design the Epitome, with an additional 10 months for completion.

Unfortunately, this exquisite design will only be produced once, meaning you may have to seek other alternatives to experience a Huayra Epitome – perhaps in the form of a diecast model.

 

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Toyota is developing a manual transmission for EVs, up to 14 gears!

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TOYOTA will introduce a simulated (virtual) manual gearbox for its electric vehicles (EVs). However, it appears it will be quite fun, as it will not be limited to just six or seven speeds.

In a patent application published a few days ago, it shows that there is no limit to how many gears the transmission can have. Images published with the technical document show it could have up to 14 gears. But how does it work? Toyota has also provided an explanation.

The patent reveals many details about this system. In simple terms, drivers will be able to select how many gear ratios they want.

“The number of virtual gear stages may be six or more, or less than six,” the document states. “Drivers will be able to select the desired form according to their preferences.”

However, Toyota does not explain any electro-mechanical system that will make up the physical gear setup. Instead, there will be a fixed number of gears, possibly six, but Toyota uses four as an example. Gears are selected as with a regular manual, although the gear button will return to its original position after use.

When the driver shifts gears, the virtual pathway shape changes to the next ratio. So if there is a pattern of six gears and the sixth gear is selected, a display will change the ratio to allow the driver to shift to gear seven and beyond, or down to gear five in the same set.

Confusing? In fact, this arrangement is similar to the manual gear setup of a truck trailer, so off-road enthusiasts will likely understand easily.

In any case, there must be a reason why car makers do not offer manual gears with too many gear ratios. A 14-speed gearbox is not practical with an internal combustion engine.

But for EVs, it’s a different story. Toyota believes there’s no harm in offering more options to buyers.