The manual transmission sports cars of 2025
Which sports cars with a lever and clutch are still on the list? From the Abarth 595 to the exclusive Pagani Utopia, here they are in detail
Cars with manual gearboxes are an endangered species. The vast majority of models are now sold exclusively with automatic transmissions, even sports cars.
There are several reasons for this, the most important of which is the quest for maximum efficiency and the undeniable comfort of automatic transmission, especially in city traffic or in traffic jams.
And yet, in 2025, there are still those who resist and continue to offer the classic and timeless lever-clutch combination. Here is an updated list of models that are still available with manual transmission.
- Abarth 595
- BMW M2
- BMW M3
- BMW M4
- BMW Z4
- Caterham Seven
- Dallara Stradale
- Ford Focus ST
- Ford Mustang
- Gordon Murray T.33
- Gordon Murray T.50
- Honda Civic Type R
- Lotus Emira
- Mazda MX-5
- Pagani Utopia
- Porsche 911
- Toyota GR Yaris
- Toyota GR Supra
Abarth 595
Abarth 595
The electric Abarths - 500e and 600e - are joined by the 595 and 695 with 1.4-litre turbocharged petrol engines. Only the 595 is equipped with the 5-speed manual gearbox, which, combined with the 165 PS, allows a 0-62 mph sprint of 7.3 seconds and a top speed of 135 mph. Prices for the 595 start at €26,800 (Not offered in UK).
BMW M2
BMW M2
There are a few BMW sports cars with a lever and a clutch, and the M2 is one of them. The second generation of the Bavarian coupé has confirmed the six-speed manual gearbox, which is available as an option to get the best out of the 480 PS 3.0 straight-six, capable of accelerating from 0-60 mph in around 4 seconds. The base price? £68,885
BMW M3
BMW M3
As well as the M2, there is also the M3, with a manual gearbox available only on the 480 PS rear-wheel-drive 'base' model. On the Competition model, which is the only model offered in the UK, only the eight-speed automatic is available.
It should also be noted that the M3 is the only sports saloon on this list with a manual gearbox, with the sole exception of the Honda Civic Type R, which has a completely different positioning. If you are interested in the BMW, however, you should be aware that the cheque to be written is not exactly light: at least €104,000.
BMW M4
BMW M4
The BMW family also includes the 480 PS 'base' M4, the only one in the range that can be ordered with a six-speed manual gearbox. In fact, Competition, Competition M xDrive and CS xDrive all have the 8-speed automatic transmission. Again, only the Competition with M xDrive model is offered in the UK. In Italy, the price is challenging: from €106,000.
BMW Z4
BMW Z4 M40i Pure Impulse
There are two manual transmissions in the Z4 range. These are the entry-level 197 PS sDrive 20i (from £45,830) and the very naughty M40i (both rear-wheel drive) with the 340 PS 3.0 straight-six.
The combination with the manual, however, is not a 'gift' as it starts at £64,060, a good £5,880 more than the automatic M40i.
Caterham Seven
Caterham Seven
Few sports cars can be as pure as the Caterham Seven. Less than 3.4 metres long and 1.10 metres high, with a kerb weight of around 500 kg, this little English car is only available with a manual gearbox. You can choose between a 0.7-litre, 84 PS engine or the more aggressive 2.0 with 228 PS. Either way, thrills are guaranteed. From £29,490.
Dallara Stradale
Dallara Stradale
If you have won the lottery and are a track day person, then the Dallara Stradale is a choice to consider.
The Emilian sports car - available in Barchetta, Spider and Coupé bodystyles - is powered by a 2.3-litre Ford engine that produces 400 PS and a dry weight of just 855 kg. A 6-speed manual gearbox comes as standard, but a 6-speed automatic is available as an option. Starting price is €195,175 (£163,000).
Ford Focus ST
Ford Focus ST
It is one of the latest combustion engine hot hatches and it still has a manual gearbox. The Focus ST is really no-frills, with a 2.3-litre engine that puts 280 PS to the front wheels alone, which sounds so old-fashioned. Thanks to the 6-speed manual gearbox, the sportier Focus - which is also available with a 7-speed dual-clutch automatic - can go from 0 to 62 mph in 5.8 seconds. From £37,705.
Ford Mustang
Ford Mustang Dark Horse
The new generation of America's most famous muscle car can also be had with a 6-speed manual gearbox in both the USA and Europe. Here, lever and clutch can be mated to the 5.0 V8 of the GT, Convertible and Dark Horse versions, with the first two Mustangs developing 446 hp and the last 454 hp. If you prefer an automatic, then Ford will satisfy you with a 10-speed transmission. Prices start at 58,000 euros.
The new generation of America's most famous muscle car is also available in the USA and Europe with a 6-speed manual gearbox. The 5.0-litre V8 engines of the GT, Convertible and Dark Horse versions can be paired with levers and clutches, with the first two Mustangs developing 446 PS and the last 454 PS. If you prefer an automatic transmission, Ford offers a 10-speed gearbox. Prices start at £55,725.
Gordon Murray T.33
Gordon Murray T.33
The latest creation from British engineer Gordon Murray (the "father" of the McLaren F1) is the T.33, a two-seater sports car available in coupé and spider body styles. Under the bonnet is a 617 PS 3.9-litre V12 and a six-speed manual gearbox, as in the larger (and more powerful) T.50. From £1.37 million.
Gordon Murray T.50
Gordon Murray T.50
If the T.33 is not enough for you, you can always take a look at the T.50. Here we find a naturally aspirated 3.9-litre V12 that produces a beauty of 663 PS in the 'normal' versions or 711 PS in the Niki Lauda S, which has an even more extreme set-up. The price list starts at £2.8 million.
Honda Civic Type R
Honda Civic Type R
Even meaner than the Focus ST is the Civic Type R, the new generation of which retains the 6-speed manual gearbox. The 2.0 turbo, on the other hand, has been bumped up to 329 PS, for a 0-62 mph sprint of 5.4 seconds and a top speed of 170 mph. In short, this is the recipe for fun on the road and on the track. The price list starts at £50,050.
Lotus Emira
There is also an Englishman in this small batch of sports cars with a manual transmission and it is the Lotus Emira, the mid-engined coupé that in the top version uses its 3.5-litre V6 with volumetric compressor to unleash a potent 405 PS at the rear.
Lotus Emira V6 First Edition
The gearbox, as mentioned, is a mechanical 6-speed with a top speed of 180 mph and a 0-62 mph time of 4.3 seconds. It is not currently configurable and is available in limited stock from Lotus centres. The base price is £85,995.
Mazda MX-5
Mazda MX-5
Whether it's the soft-top version or the RF with a hardtop, the MX-5 is still available for 2025 with a 6-speed manual gearbox (or a 6-speed automatic on some models). There are two engines: the 132 PS 1.5-litre or the 184 PS 2.0. In both cases, the car's low weight (around 1,000-1,100 kg) makes for a direct and engaging driving experience. From £29,915.
Pagani Utopia
Pagani Utopia
The prize on this list is undoubtedly the Pagani Utopia, the £2.2 million-plus dream supercar. Unlike many rivals in this price range, the Utopia retains the 7-speed manual gearbox, mated to a colossal 6.0-litre twin-turbo V12 with 864 PS.
Porsche 911
Porsche 911 GT3
There are several 911s available with a 6-speed manual gearbox. These range from the 394 PS Carrera T (also a Cabriolet) to the 510 PS GT3. The latter can be ordered with the Touring package, which gives the car a more 'sober' appearance. Collectors, on the other hand, can look forward to the 525 PS S/T and, more importantly, a base price of over .
In the case of the Carrera T, the list starts at £111,300.
Toyota GR Yaris
Toyota GR Yaris
The second generation of the GR Yaris has been bumped up to 280 PS and comes with a new 8-speed automatic transmission. Those who prefer to stick to the classics can still order the Toyota with a 6-speed manual gearbox, safe in the knowledge that cars like this are unobtainable: less than 4 metres long, all-wheel drive and a (relatively) low weight of around 1.2 tonnes. The base price is £44,250.
Toyota GR Supra
Toyota GR Supra
An old-fashioned coupe with an iconic name for JDM fans: this is the Toyota Supra. Only the GR version, with the 340 PS 3.0-litre engine sourced from BMW, is available with a 6-speed manual gearbox. This version - called Lightweight - goes from 0 to 62 mph in 4.6 seconds and has a top speed of 155 mph. From £54,630.
The custom-built cars with manual gearboxes
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