As part of Acura's plans to "rationalize" (as the b-school buzzword goes) the ILX's powertrains, the 6-speed stick shift is dead, replaced by an all-new 8-speed dual clutch gearbox. It also marks the end of an era for the brand.
Acura has slowly killed off the manual in successive product lines. The now-dead TL and TSX were notable for offering manual gearboxes that represented the best of what Honda had to offer: crisp-shifting stick shifts that were the benchmark for modern day manuals. They were easily as good as any Miata gearbox, and it's still hard to believe that such amazing manual transmissions were created for a front-drive transverse application. In my mind, they've never been equaled.
I wish I could say it was a surprising development, but this is how things are shaking out. Lexus is devoid of manuals, and the only Infiniti with three-pedals is the Q60 Coupe – a model set to be replaced next year. There's a very good chance it will return sans a stick shift. If you want one of Honda's world famous manuals, you still have some options: the Fit, Civic and Accord can be had that way. There will even be an HR-V that lets you row your own. But we're all acutely aware that it's not the same thing.
The post Editorial: The Last Of The Manual Acuras appeared first on The Truth About Cars.
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