Audi Drops Manual Transmissions in U.S.

Audi AG is discontinuing manual transmission options for its A4 sedan and A5 coupe in the U.S., where they are the only two models that offer a stick shift.

The only transmission available in the 2019-model cars will be the current 7-speed dual-clutch automatic. Both vehicles offered a 6-speed manual as a no-cost option in all-wheel-drive variants for the last two years.

Audi previously had boasted that the A4 was the sole vehicle in its segment that offered a manual transmission. But only about 5% of buyers in the U.S. opted for the configuration this year, company officials tell Car and Driver.