Aston Martin Chief Acknowledges the Brand Requires More Manual Transmissions | Carscoops

      Alongside the development of a new manual, Aston Martin is also working on its inaugural electric vehicle.

      Recently, the only Aston Martins available with a manual transmission have been the extremely high-priced Valiant and Valour models.

      Adrian Hallmark aspires for Aston Martin to emulate Porsche's path.

      Not too long ago, many luxury car manufacturers began to move away from manual gearboxes, opting instead for faster automatic transmissions that promise to enhance lap times and align better with increasingly powerful vehicles. However, in recent times, there has been a revival in interest for sports cars and supercars equipped with manual transmissions, and it appears Aston Martin has recognized this trend.

      Porsche has been at the forefront of offering high-end vehicles with manual transmissions, including the Porsche 911 GT3 and the newer 911 S/T. According to Adrian Hallmark, the CEO of Aston Martin, the British brand needs to compete with these models.

      When asked about the direction for their nameplates, Hallmark said, “In terms of sportiness and a true, purist sports-car experience, we require a manual.” He noted that while they have one for the Vantage, it needs to be distinct. “But stay tuned,” he added.

      Currently, the only Aston Martin models that come with a manual transmission are the limited-edition Valiant and Valour. It has been several years since the brand produced a more accessible car with a stick shift, having briefly offered the last-generation Vantage with a conventional six-speed manual.

      Hallmark did not specify which of the existing models might receive a new manual transmission or when it would be introduced. However, he expressed a desire for Aston Martin to adopt a strategy similar to Porsche's, which involves launching various versions of the same underlying model.

      Additionally, Aston Martin is not solely focused on manual transmissions. Hallmark also mentioned this week that the company is making progress toward the launch of its first electric vehicle. Although this model may be delayed again and is likely to debut closer to the end of the decade, it might feature body vibrations intended to mimic those of an internal combustion engine.