Those who are saddened by the lack of manual transmissions in sports cars these days will be glad to know that Aston Martin doesn't plan on taking away this option anytime soon. In fact, the British car maker just announced that its upcoming Vanquish model will have a manual transmission on offer.
"I want to be the last manufacturer in the world to offer manual sports cars, and I want to honor that commitment," Aston Martin Chief Executive Officer Andy Palmer said in a statement.
Though the type of manual transmission that will be installed in the Vanquish is yet to be announced, insiders are guessing that it will be the same seven-speed unit used in the Vantage AMR. This particular gearbox, developed with transmission-maker Graziano, features a dogleg design that can match revs on downshifts automatically while permitting full-throttle upshifts.
The Vanquish will sport a twin-turbo 3.0-liter six-cylinder electrified engine, the same one used in the Valhalla. It will also have a mid-engine layout, which is expected to imbue the car with enviable weight distribution numbers.
Instead of the usual carbon fiber body used in its other models, Aston Martin will use bonded aluminum on the Vanquish, as it is primarily meant to be a daily driver. The choice makes the doorway sill lower and narrower, allowing for easier entry and exit of the vehicle.
"Our approach is ... hopefully ... a more compelling way of addressing a customer's needs," Palmer defends the company’s choice of having two unique body materials for its vehicles.
Scheduled for a 2022 release, the standard Vanquish is expected to fetch around USD450,000. Two other versions--a high-performance AMR and droptop Volante--will soon follow.
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