I think everyone would be pretty happy if Genesis had decided to build a V6 with the stick. Hopefully we can agree on that.
The assertion that this is a
mistake on the other hand doesn't really hold a lot of water IMO. The only sedans with more than four cylinders that still offer a manual in this country are the 340i, M3, and ATS-V. The first two may very well be automatic only after this model year. I also wouldn't hold my breath waiting for a second-gen ATS-V with a stick.
While it may seem logical to offer the manual with the higher performing model, the fact is that outside of North America people overwhelmingly prefer automatics in high-performance cars. It's why the last two generations of M5 and M6 were offered only with a manual in the U.S. and Canada. Same thing for the B8.5 Audi S4 and S5 – both models dropped their manual option in Europe when they were updated. Similarly, the ATS (V excepted), the previous C-class, and the previous Lexus IS only offered manuals in their base models. There must be
some logic in this decision making.
As a diehard manual fan – I've only ever bought one automatic, and it was for my girlfriend – this all sucks. Like Vmango, I'd be all over an S5 Sportback with a stick. I'm positively salivating for a Giulia – even a four cylinder model – with a stick. The fact that the upcoming 3-series could very well be automatic only in our market absolutely kills me. The manual transmission is basically dead.
The fact that Genesis is giving us a rear-wheel drive sport sedan with a stick is in itself a minor miracle. I obviously understand the desire for the combination of V6 + manual. I share that desire. But to dismiss the 2.0T six-speed is a bit like looking a gift horse in the mouth. If you want a sports sedan with a high cylinder count and a stick it's not like there's a bunch of options to choose from. Just MHO.
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