No manual option on new A4 3.2Q
03-07-2005, 03:33 PM
#1
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No manual option on new A4 3.2Q
On Audi's site the new A4 with 3.2L engine does not offer the option of a manual transmission. What's going on? Is Audi abandoning manual transmissions? Only tiptronic is offered for the 3.2L engine.
03-07-2005, 04:06 PM
#2
Audi isn't abandoning manual trannies ... just not offering them in the US on certain models.
Likely based on market anlaysis showing how few 'mericans choose manual transmissions over slush boxes in a given segment and they've decided just not to offer it for economic reasons.
Note the C6 A6 3.2 FSI quattro is available in Europe with a manual tranny, so I'd guess the A4 is too (haven't checked specifically). The fact that the U.S. is statistically 85% auto and 15% manual overall, while the opposite is true of Europe/UK, means they get the goods and we don't.
Note the C6 A6 3.2 FSI quattro is available in Europe with a manual tranny, so I'd guess the A4 is too (haven't checked specifically). The fact that the U.S. is statistically 85% auto and 15% manual overall, while the opposite is true of Europe/UK, means they get the goods and we don't.
03-07-2005, 04:34 PM
#4
Here's an even scarier thought, all AW'ers raving about the GT4 are actually driving Tiptronics ...
I don't know of a single car video game that has a clutch - and I think I've seen most of them ;-)
03-07-2005, 05:12 PM
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While that statistic might hold true in a general sense (all cars)...
I'm sure both Audi and BMW enjoy the lion's share of the manual tranny sales in the upscale market segments. Abandoning that market may throw a good bit of that business to BMW. If I was a loyal Audi customer, and they only offered the car I wanted in a Tip (let's assuming it's something deserving of the word 'sporty'), it would take me 2 seconds to switch brands...and only that long because I'd need a second to dislodge the gum stuck in my throat.
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03-07-2005, 06:53 PM
#8
Agree the proportion of manual drivers for specific marques, especially "sporting" brands like Audi
... is likely greater. However, being a business/market intelligence professional, I can't imagine them not basing such a decision off of [business] models which substantiate the expense of offering both manual and automatic transmissions from an economic (demand) standpoint. Moreover, their data has to be focussed on at least the European "near-luxury" (B) segment, if not Audi specifically. That would imply that, even given a greater propensity of Audi buyers to opt for a manual, it still isn't a great enough proportion to justify the option.
Silliness ... me thinks. As you said, if Audi started offering only automatics, I'd go elsewhere for my shifting fix. In fact, I really like the AMG C55, but can't get past it being offered only as an auto.
Silliness ... me thinks. As you said, if Audi started offering only automatics, I'd go elsewhere for my shifting fix. In fact, I really like the AMG C55, but can't get past it being offered only as an auto.
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