VTEC Racer

Maybe in the U.S., but not in Europe where almost 80% of the cars sold are equipped with manual transmissions.

Crazy Bimmer

Maybe 10 years ago but now most of the higher end cars are bought with an auto transmission.

Only Americans are still demanding manuals.

VTEC Racer

Last I checked, high-end cars aren't purchased in nearly the same numbers as mainstream cars are in Europe.

If you're buying an S4, you're buying it for sport and performance. A lack of manual transmission takes away from that.

stangg172004

Not when the auto performs better than the manual...

ttribe

I hate to be the one to point this out, but - you can't buy a Ferrari 458 or Lamborghini Aventador with a third pedal anymore. All the high-end exotics are using some kind of electronics to do the shifting at this point.

Crazy Bimmer

BMW, Audi, Porsche, lambo, ferrari, etc are all going away from manuals. Its a fact.

BMW and Audi are pretty mainstream over in Europe btw.

MTEAZY

In Europe everyone had manuals and hated them so much that now they buy autos in most of the performance cars. In America most cars are automatic so we like stick shift for its unique traits.

It's human nature to want what you can't have, or as in this case, what's less accessible.

Moog-Type-S

You clearly are misinformed.

The entire industry worldwide is moving away from manual gearboxes.

From the cheapest of vehicles to the most expensive.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

this is the current shift. it is unfortunate, but it is happening.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Unfortunately...

pttl

There is just something about the tactile sensation of pushing the third pedal and moving the stick through the gears, that can't be replaced by flicking a finger.

VTEC Racer

You guys are missing my point. I'm not saying the industry is not moving away from it. My point is that in a market that is selling almost 80% of their cars in manuals, it's a lame move. Especially on a car like the S4. Industry or not, people prefer a manual.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

We know enthusiasts prefer manuals, but the manufacturers aren't looking at that. They want to push autos because first, the marketing campaigns love that they can claim that the auto can shift tenths of a second faster even though I'm willing to bet 95% of the owners will never take their car to the track where it will matter. Second, their production line is simplified making it easier and faster for them to roll cars off the line, and third, most manufacturers don't really care about enthusiasts, the ones that really take passion in their cars, at least with decisions like this it makes us feel that way.

alex2364

You're the one missing the point. No one in Europe wants a manual, even in a sports car. BMW dropped the manual transmission in their brand new M5 for Europe and is only making it available in the US.

VTEC Racer

How am I missing the point? What do almost 80% of Europeans buy manuals then if they don't want them? Serious question. Is Audi answering the call of the Europeans to offer a less sporty and less fun S4 by offering it in auto only?

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

That may be stretching it a bit. I can't say in confidence that a country where it's buyers were being sold manuals predominately all of the sudden having the buyers doing a 180 and wanting manuals.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

^ Can you give us a link for your fact? Just curious.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Was that to me or VTEC Yo?

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

VTEC just kicked in yo

Sorry, VTEC, just kidding

biker

The high % of manuals outside of NA is mostly at the low end of the market. At the higher end, the MT % is much less. Once you get to a 40K car, even in Europe, the MT % is well below 50%.

Biker, who has no source of this data other than observation.

Moog-Type-S

Vtec....seriously, now.

VTEC Racer

Seriously what, Moog. Are you telling me you're okay with the S4 only having an auto? Nobody is talking about where the industry is going, I don't know why you are hanging on to that so tightly. The point here is that the S4 is a SPORTS car with performance intentions. Taking away the manual transmission, an aspect that adds so much to the joy of driving that type of the car, is a LAME move. How could argue against that? Seriously?

VTEC Racer

http://express-press-release.net/29/...n%20Europe.php

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

That release is from 2006!

Moog-Type-S

As a matter of fact we are all talking about where the industry is going, and why it is not surprising that the new S4 has a DSG gearbox.

Tell me about all the current lineup Ferrari & Lamborghini vehicles with a manual transmission.

I'm gonna go out on a limb and say that these are cars with "performance intentions".....and they do it with "flappy paddles".

again...be serious.

Moog-Type-S

In fairness....nothing changes in the industry in a 5-6 year time span.

VTEC Racer

Then can you please contribute and find something better?

VTEC Racer

Moog, answer one question... Do you agree with the move Audi has made with the S4? Yes or no.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

I don't need to. All of us, with the exception of you, are focusing on talking about what the industry is shifting towards. You seem to bent on complaining about why the S4 isn't being fitted with a manual. We already know why this is regardless of our own opinions which are contrary to Audi's decision and regardless of what we want, Audi is doing what they want. Move on and drop it.

Nobody is saying that they are happy with the decision, we are just confused as to what you are trying to get at now when all of us are so far beyond the original point you made.

VTEC Racer

So you're okay with the S4 being auto only. Sweet.

I just find it strange that when this is happening to the S4, it's given a pass as okay because that's what the industry is going towards. It's okay that Audi is following what the industry is doing and not trying to leave enthusiasts that want do there own shifting (of which there is a large percentage of) high and dry. Lets just accept it as is, right? Got it. Thanks!

Moog-Type-S

You are missing the point.

...and now you backed away from you point of cars with "performance intentions" should only have manual gearboxes.....while that clearly is not true.
(Hence see Ferrari, Lambo, LF-A...etc)

How can you not understand something so simple.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

Fine, you know what. If you want to be a little bitch about this. No I am not ok with Audi matting an auto to the motor in this car. Nobody has said they are or are not. What the hell are you trying to get at that is so enlightening about this point you are attempting and failing at driving home? By us stating that we aren't happy isn't going to get Audi to change their stance no more than us complaining that Honda's reliability over the years HAS been faltering with the increased number of recalls they have had. Can you deny that? Answer that question for me?

Give it a rest already and expand your IQ by a few points and move on to the point that all of us are trying to make which can open the door for a more detailed, educative, and engaging discussion.

ttribe

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

what the hell is your problem dude

charliemike

I'm wondering if this is a profit move too. Maybe they can charge more for the DSG over a slushbox even though the costs aren't much different.

Like with a manual transmission and automagic.

Sly Raskal

iTrader: (1)

I have no doubt that this is a profit move. If the DSG they are offering on this car is going to be used on many of the other VW/Audi vehicles, they stand to gain much from it just like they have by using the 2.0T as much as they have across their lineup.

VTEC Racer

I'm not backing away from anything. I asked you a yes or no question and you couldn't answer it. I never said performance cars should ONLY have manual transmissions. All I said was that the S4 is a performance car and that not having the option of a manual takes away from the joy of driving one.

Can you answer my question? It's a simple yes or no.

JS + XES

iTrader: (1)

Yes. 100%.

It's all about more profit for all these companies.

Unfortunately, I would have to make the same decision if I were working in any of these automotive companies.

VTEC Racer

Thank you. You said what I was looking for. Was that so hard? I just can't help to think that if this was Acura and they were saying that they were discontinuing the manual in the TL, there would have been a ten page thread chastising Honda. However, we are talking about Audi here, so we can blame it on the industry trend.

For your information, yes, Honda has slipped slightly is quality, however, they still rank higher than most:http://businesscenter.jdpower.com/ne...spx?ID=2010034

Why is it that I was able to continue the conversation without making a personal attack or insult against anyone? I wish people would "open the door for a more detailed, educative, and engaging discussion" when it comes to Honda as well.

Yumcha

Well, unless you work at Honda/Acura.