Where’s the Dodge Challenger Hellcat’s Manual Transmission?

Enthusiasts have been bemoaning the disappearance of manual transmissions as a auto solution for additional than a 10 years. And now, you can add the 2022 Dodge Challenger Hellcat to the record. It’s no longer made available with a 6-speed handbook transmission. Even though quite a few Dodge Challenger styles can be outfitted with the stick change, the Hellcat is not between them.

It’s been missing for some time

As it turns out, Dodge taken out the Hellcat’s 6-speed manual alternative from Dodge’s on line configurator in late in the 2021 model 12 months. So, if you want a Hellcat and its 6.2-liter supercharged V-8, it will be paired with a TorqueFlight 8-pace computerized transmission. 

The enterprise told Street & Keep track of that it was a short-term scenario, introducing that it would return the moment a revised calibration for this powertrain combo could be set up. A forum post suggests that the challenge revolves about the supercharged V-8 meeting emissions when paired with the 6-speed handbook.

The very same discussion board indicates the absence of a Hellcat guide has been an problem for even more time, stating that the organization did not deliver any 6-speed handbook Hellcats in 2021, in spite of their existence on the on the internet configurator. 

A short-term scenario? Probably, It’s possible not

Corporation officers say that it is a non permanent predicament, whilst they do not point out when a handbook Hellcat will return. You can continue to get a Challenger R/T and its 5.7-liter V-8 and a Challenger Scat Pack with its 6.2-liter V-8 mated to a Tremac 6-velocity, abut other products make do with the 8-velocity computerized.

It’s fairly a change of functions for the Challenger whose design is now 14 a long time outdated. In 2021, it sold 54,314 models in 2021, far more than the Ford Mustang’s 52,414 units. But the absence of a manual on the Hellcat could influence that newfound guide in 2022.

Manuals are a dying breed

The selection of autos offered with a few pedals has been declining for a long time. Vehicles or models you’d assume to provide a manual transmission, these types of as a Ferrari, Lotus or Chevrolet Corvette, no more time provide 1.

They arrive outfitted with a twin-clutch transmission, an automatic guide gearbox that lacks a clutch pedal. Other nameplates have seen their a few-pedal designs disappear, such as the Genesis G70, Hyundai Accent, and Kia Soul. Aston Martin will be leaving the handbook behind as nicely. 

In sporting activities autos, the dual clutch transmission has grow to be the gearbox of preference. The twin clutch is an automatic handbook gearbox that shifts more rapidly than a conventional guide transmission while presenting computerized shifting advantage in situations the place shifting manually is a soreness, such as prevent-and-go city traffic. And several computerized or dual-clutch gearboxes produce superior gas financial system than a handbook, which was as soon as a principal purpose to choose for 1. 

The guide is not entirely dead — yet

Of the brand names that even now give automobiles with handbook transmissions in the U.S., Subaru has much more nameplates with a few pedals than any other model. In truth, just 37 nameplates are continue to available with a guide transmission for 2022: the BMW M3 and M4 Cadillac CT4-V Blackwing and CT5-V Blackwing Chevrolet Camaro and Spark Dodge Challenger Ford Bronco and Mustang Honda Civic Hyundai Elantra and Veloster N Jeep Gladiator and Wrangler Kia Forte Mazda 3 and MX-5 Miata Mini Hardtop, Convertible and Clubman Mitsubishi Mirage Nissan Versa and Z Porsche 718 Boxster, 718 Cayman, and 911 Subaru BRZ, Crosstrek, Impreza, WRX and WRX STI Toyota GR86, Corolla, and Tacoma and the Volkswagen Golf GTI, Golf R and Jetta.

If that doesn’t seem to be like many designs, you’re ideal. 

In 2021, new vehicles with a guide transmission accounted for about 1{7b5a5d0e414f5ae9befbbfe0565391237b22ed5a572478ce6579290fab1e7f91} of new auto sales. In contrast, battery electric powered motor vehicles accounted for 3.4{7b5a5d0e414f5ae9befbbfe0565391237b22ed5a572478ce6579290fab1e7f91} of new car or truck revenue, almost double that of the calendar year just before. 

As battery electrical automobiles displace inner combustion engine motor vehicles on showroom flooring, a final result of govt regulation, hope manuals to develop into an more and more unusual commodity. Electric vehicles require only one gear for just about every route – ahead and backward.

Think about it a seismic change to shiftlessness in the vehicle industry.