No, the manual transmission doesn’t offer faster lap times any longer, but it does provide a sense of engagement and heightened fun factor. And the Chevy Camaro ZL1 may offer one while Ford sits this round out.
According to a report last Thursday, the 2020 Ford Shelby Mustang GT500 may skip the manual transmission altogether. The decision would be a stark contrast to Ford’s recent love affair with the row-your-own; the automaker only offered a manual transmission with the Focus ST, Fiesta ST and GT350. The Fiesta and Focus are now dead in the United States, however.
The transmission that’s most likely to find a home in the Chevy Camaro ZL1 rival is the Tremec TR-9007. The unit handles up to 664 pound-feet of torque, which clears the rumored GT500 power figures of over 700 horsepower and 650 lb-ft of torque. The Tremec TR-3160 manual found in the GT350 is only good to handle 429 lb-ft of torque; sorting out a new manual transmission for a finite group of buyers may have killed the three-pedal option for Ford’s most powerful pony, if one was ever even on the table.
Although spy shots appeared to suggest a manual transmission could still be on the table for the 2020 GT500, it appears more unlikely. But we can’t rule it out just yet.
When the GT500 does debut, a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic appears likely. That’s in contrast to the Ford-GM co-developed 10-speed automatic the Chevy Camaro ZL1 employs. The Camaro ZL1 will also be down on power compared to the GT500, which as mentioned, will make over 700 hp. Still, that trails Dodge, which has offered 700-plus hp Challenger and Charger models for years.
It’s unclear if we’ll see the Camaro team strike back with another high-performance offering. As of recent, it appears the team may be shifting focus to court more entry-level buyers will the addition of the Camaro Turbo 1LE model and price cuts.
Source: FordAuthority
[nggallery id=819]
Comments
All automatic transmissions shift faster and more efficiently than manuals, so it is quite logical that all future sportscars will be automatics. And if they use the new electric transmissions that the Chevy Volt and Cadillac CT6 have, there will be no shifting at all.
Why hasn’t this come out yet? Clearly something is wrong with the powertrain or Ford itself. It’s been 5 fucking years and it’s still not even unveiled. 2020 model makes 6. Blue balls edition?
At least the Zl1 was out the next year.
Automatic only would be a mistake! Options Ford! Options are what people want!
The transmission that should be picked is the one that gets the best performance out of the car or truck. In the past this use to always be the manual but times have changed and so should the people who drive performance cars.
The goal of a performance car is to drive fast! So why would you pick a option that does not promote that? And please dont tell me that time slips or what car is faster doesn’t matter. Just go ask the people at the track, or people recording street racing. Being able to pull away from another car that is door to door to your car feels so good. And when you lose a race nobody gives you any sympathy because you have a 3rd pedal!
Apparently you don’t know the meaning of the word “options”.
Let’s put in simple terms for you – both automatic and manual should be offered so the buyer can decide.
And many of these cars won’t be used on a track – not for the most part.
It’s a Ford Mustang! So it should have a manual transmission option!!!!! That’s all that needs to be said! Come on Ford don’t let me down! Don’t make a car that’s not driver engaging!