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The writer is a racing driver and presenter of the TV series ‘Fifth Gear’
“What’s a clutch?” asked my 10-year-old. I swallowed an expletive and remained tactfully silent.
This seemingly mystical element of a car is the bit that connects the third pedal in the footwell to the engine via that most sacred of parts, revered by all petrolheads — the manual gearbox.
It’s more magic wand than stick. It can be tall, short, round or square, and made of metal, carbon fibre, wood or all three. It’s something you have to physically move left, right, up or down — no games consoles here. Sometimes it takes a lot of strength, and other times just a flick of the wrist. I consider myself blessed to have experienced it all from when I first drove Dad’s tractor as a pre-teen.
Sadly my offspring’s early automotive adventures are likely to be very different. Manufacturers simply aren’t making cars with manual gearboxes in the numbers they did even three years ago. They could be extinct in the showroom by the time my child even sits a theory test.
Research highlights their rapid rate of decline. Before 2019, manuals were holding their own against automatics in new car sales in the UK. One year later the tables turned. Today, for every manual car sold, there are — dramatic pause — about four autos.
That is punchy and hits me emotionally. Memories whirl of sitting alongside Dad with a mighty manual between us, waiting for his nod of approval to change gear. The joy I felt when I got it “just right” has never left me. Manuals are the linchpins to the ultimate driving experience. They are essential to enabling an immersive, visceral connection to the whole car while you’re at the wheel.
I know some will scoff and mutter about a car simply being a moving metal box and yes, I see that. But there is a thrill in moving through a manual gearbox that drips dopamine into each muscle.
The sensations of some gearshifts are so perfect they cause grown-ups to gasp in awe. Mention the satisfying precision of a Honda Civic Type R, Porsche 911 (997 GT3 is a personal favourite) or any BMW M machine (Z3M Coupé if we’re getting picky) and there’ll be swoons on cue. The Ford Fiesta ST is worth a mention too, if just to underline the fact that a good gearbox is not solely the domain of the high-end motors.
The mighty manual is worshipped enough to have television shows named in its honour — Top Gear and Fifth Gear. What will young gear heads be viewing in the future? “Hello and welcome to the latest episode of Forward, Reverse and Park” doesn’t have quite the same ring.
Evolution can’t be rebuffed though, and the high-tech world of motorsport has long carved the path for car manufacturers with automatic systems that are fuel efficient and, crucially for big brands, more emission-friendly. Plus, I have to admit, some of them are so proficient they make you feel like a Formula 1 driver.
For those particularly wedded to manuals, all is not lost. The electric car technology available today is promising. The Hyundai Ioniq 5 N uses a bit of witchcraft and wizardry called “N e-Shift”, which mimics the jolt of a traditional gearbox each time you pull a steering wheel-mounted paddle. The noise, the power and the physical sensation hoodwinks you into believing you’re in a car that’s powered by an internal combustion engine with a proper gearbox.
Yet, I can’t help but feel our future is leaving behind something special. What about those manual gearboxes with wonderful names like dog-leg, H-pattern and sequential, or the techniques of flat-shifting and double-declutching?
Still, just as the value of analogue watches rises over digitals, and records over downloads, perhaps cars with a stick will become increasingly cherished. I suggest you grab one while you still can.
