In a crushing blow to our "Save the Manuals" campaign, we have received word that the next-gen Audi TT RS, due to be launched in 2016, will lose its manual shifter entirely. Excuse us while we mourn the decision to ax yet another sports-car variant that allows its driver to select gears by means of a traditional shifter.

This means Audi's strategy has taken a drastic turn.The previous model (pictured above) was offered with both a six-speed manual and a seven-speed dual-clutch automatic in Europe; on the U.S. market, it was actually a manual-only car. The next version will come only with the VW Group's DQ500 seven-speed dual-clutch unit, which is a reliable and quick-shifting 'box that's currently offered on the European-marketRS3 Sportback (which is overwhelmingly likely to come here in sedan form).

The TT RS will continue to be powered by an evolution of the turbocharged EA113 2.5-liter five-cylinder, this time making around 400 horsepower against the last-gen's 360. We expect the car to arrive on American shores for the 2017 model year; competitors will range from the upcoming BMW M2 to the Chevrolet Corvette and the Porsche Cayman. Note: They all can or will be able to be ordered with a manual.

This article originally appeared on Car and Driver



This content is created and maintained by a third party, and imported onto this page to help users provide their email addresses. You may be able to find more information about this and similar content at piano.io