Porsche gives manual transmissions stay of execution … for now

Iconic German sports-car maker Porsche will continue to offer the option of a manual transmission in its 911 and 718 (Boxster/Cayman) models in the foreseeable future, a senior executive has told overseas media.

As reported by US publication The Drive, the head of Porsche's 911 and 718 model ranges, Frank Moser, says the brand plans to continue selling its sports cars with manual transmissions for the current generation.

“[A] manual transmission is always what the customer wants in the 911, so we have been and are working as long as possible to save the manuals,” Mr Moser told The Drive. 

“That’s absolutely relevant for the 911. That’s why we have the 911 [Carrera] T with a manual gearshift, and now the 911 S/T with a stick shift, and that’s really because customers want a stick shift.”

As reported in June, approximately 20 per cent of all new Porsche 911s and 718s sold in Australia are equipped with a manual transmission – while up to 50 per cent of 911 GT3 and six-cylinder 718 drivers opt for a three-pedal setup.

Porsche has recently been spied testing a facelift of the 992-generation 911, which is understood to be an extension of the current model – which has been on sale overseas since 2019, and could continue in showrooms until 2028.

Meantime, the next-generation 718 Boxster and Cayman will offer electric power for the first time from 2025 – though the current petrol-powered models will remain in production until emissions regulations make them unviable.

For now, Porsche’s sports cars are safe from stringent emissions legislation overseas, though Volkswagen was recently forced to drop the manual Golf from its global line-up, as its six-speed transmission produced more tailpipe emissions than the eight-speed automatic.  

While other car-makers – such as automotive giant Toyota – have been developing ‘manual’ transmissions for electric vehicle, Mr Moser told The Drive Porsche won’t be going down the same path.

“What we want, and that’s the key for Porsche, is to make it authentic,” said Mr Moser. “So therefore, I don’t know that there’s a way for us to have a stick shift in an electrified car.”