Car design is a constantly evolving medium, with manufacturers constantly wanting to set their product apart from the others in terms of design and performance. Creating a strong and recognisable brand image is important to the modern automaker.

The latest of these trends to come out of the woodwork is the exposed gear linkage. First championed by the Spyker C8 back in 2000 having exposed gear linkages and moving mechanical parts in the cabin became an instant infatuation, showing us that not everything needed to be kept hidden in the transmission tunnel.

For years after Spyker showed us the way we found our first of the modern exposed trends in the Pagani Huayra. The car features a single clutch gearbox but the selector is made from bespoke carbon fibre and machined aluminium, to create this piece alone and the exposed linkages takes longer than it would take to build a regular hatchback on a production line. The results, however, speak for themselves and this is one of the defining parts of the Huayra that combines gorgeous design with functionality.

Sensing that their Italian cousins were on to something the team behind the Fiat Abarth 695 Biposto also saw fit to expose themselves with the Dog leg gearbox in the hot Italian hatch. The Italian offering is more utilitarian than that of the Pagani, but that functionality almost makes it more appealing as it feels instantly race car derived. The long shifter, and gate low down on the floor turn the city hatch into something that looks like it could devour any road with pleasure. The juxtaposition of exposed aluminium against the plastic and carbon of the dash set the gearbox out as a defining aspect of the car and transforms it into a serious piece of kit.

Similarly to the Abarth, Lotus’ new Exige Sport 350 and 380 editions have joined the trend of getting their kit off in search of a racier feel. Although slightly more British and conservative in its design than the Italians (obviously) the exposed linkages in the Lotus have the same effect of making it feel like an instant racer. The slight casing shields the linkage and shows off the metalwork in a suitable understated way, all the while showing the moving parts so giant children like us can oggle at what’s going on every time you shift a cog.

There is something oddly satisfying about seeing the inner workings of the gear shift as well as what makes the ‘clunk’ in the gearbox and the exposed linkage is a trend that we are incredibly on board with these days. If it turns out to be just a fad, at least it was a good one that delighted petrolhead the world over. This trend has by no means burned itself out, so which manufacturer will be the next to try their hand? Will it be Porsche with their new manual GT3 variant? Only time will tell, but for now enjoy these pictures of exposed linkages!