Manual transmissions are making a comeback, says Nismo boss

The manual transmission isn't dead yet, according to the boss of Nissan's performance arm Nismo, who says demand is rising for driver-focused models with three pedals.

Nissan famously introduced its previous hero model, the R35 Nissan GT-R, without a manual gearbox, with the all-wheel-drive model using a six-speed dual-clutch automatic transmission, though it continued to offer a manual in its Z sports cars.

Speaking to media in Australia at the announcement of the first Nismo Performance Centre here – due to open in Melbourne by the end of 2026 – Nismo CEO Yutaka Sanada said manuals remain on the Nismo menu.

“Customer demand for the three-pedal is coming back,” he told media, including CarExpert.

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“Nismo tune is not about just a three-pedal car, [or] two pedal motor cars in a very unique tune … so maybe both.”

The comments also came as speculation about the return of the Nissan Skyline to local showrooms for the first time in 35 years has been mooted – and could see a Nismo Skyline with a manual gearbox sold here.

Sanada-san also said Nismo models aren’t about whether they are manual or otherwise, but are about the total package regardless. He emphasised the company would use its professional racing drivers more to develop road-going Nismo models.

“Nismo dedicated development driver group … this team is having the experience on the track, so not just seeking for the horsepower or torque, [but also] how [the] customer can feel acceleration or good cornering," he said.

Currently, Nismo models sold overseas – including the Note Aura, X-Trail SUV and Patrol, none of which are offered here in Nismo guise – are automatic-only, apart from the Nismo Z coupe.

In Australia, the latest Nissan Z Nismo was launched solely with a nine-speed automatic, but a manual version is now on the way due to customer demand.

The Nismo boss wouldn’t be drawn into whether its introduction as an automatic was a mistake, with a Nissan Australia spokesperson suggesting the addition of a manual model shows the automaker is receptive to customer feedback.

Until it arrives, the standard Z is the only model in local Nissan showrooms with a manual transmission, with the latest Navara ute auto-only – despite the Mitsubishi Triton it’s based on still offering a manual.

Key rivals to the Z remain available with a manual, with Ford's global CEO Jim Farley telling Australian media, including CarExpert, earlier this year the manual Ford Mustang would have to be pulled “out of our cold dead hands”.

The Toyota GR86/Subaru BRZ twins and Mazda MX-5 are also sold with manual gearboxes, but the new Honda Prelude doesn't offer one with its hybrid powertrain – even though the old CR-Z combined both a hybrid powertrain and a manual transmission.

Other performance cars with manual gearboxes in local showrooms include the Subaru WRX, Honda Civic Type R, Toyota GR Corolla and GR Yaris, and the Hyundai i20 N and i30 N.

Looking at higher price points, Porsche remains committed to the manual and still sells the 911 with a six-speed, three-pedal gearbox – but Mercedes-Benz and Audi currently don't offer any manual models here at all.

BMW M boss Frank van Meel told CarExpert earlier this year there are no plans to develop a new manual gearbox, given the current six-speed can't handle as much torque as its automatic models.

The German automaker offers a manual in its M2, M3 and M4, and has said it will keep manual models in its performance cars until 2030.

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