It seems that, despite us thinking the opposite, manual transmissions are creeping back into the performance car segment. They certainly are when it comes to hypercars, with the likes of the Gordon Murray S1 showing that stick shifting is still something enthusiasts crave.
Even the incredible Hennessey Blackbird has a six-speed manual transmission. Now, we might be about to see another manufacturer bring back the manual transmission. Bugatti CEO Mate Rimac recently teased a potential manual Bugatti while attending Monterey Car Week 2026, and he got people’s imaginations running riot.
The Bugatti boss teased the prospect of a proper, real manual transmission paired with its upcoming V16 engine. For many, the idea of a manual Bugatti just never seemed like something that could happen. Automatic transmissions are, after all, better for outright performance.
But with just a few simple words, Mate Rimac has set the world on fire. While some have clearly got too carried away, the Bugatti CEO has said he believes there is room in the company’s future for a manual transmission, and it is something he would like to see happen. Plus, it would be a true manual, and not a gimmick.
What Did Mate Rimac Say About a Manual Bugatti?
Rimac was asked about whether there was any room in the future Bugatti lineup for a manual transmission. “Yes, definitely,” he said to Road & Track. “Imagine a V16 with a manual, real manual,” Rimac added. That phrase ‘real manual’ is important, as it is a clear difference from what other manufacturers are doing.
Ferrari is perhaps the one that Rimac is aiming for with that statement. The Italian manufacturer has brought out the 12Cilindri Manuale. This supercar still has an automatic transmission, but it is underneath layers of simulated gears and clutch behaviour to give the sensation of a manual transmission. It is, in essence, a gimmick, giving that manual feel without Ferrari needing to add a true stick shift to its cars.
Hennessey and Koenigsegg have also gone down the ‘real manual’ route, as has Gordon Murray with the S1, the spiritual successor to the McLaren F1. Rimac did not expand on what a manual Bugatti might look like, or whether it could be in a series-production V16 hypercar or in a one-off special edition. But the prospect of a manual Bugatti is certainly not an impossible one. And if Mate Rimac himself is keen to see it happen, there is a good chance we will see it one day.
Manual Transmissions Are Creeping Back In
Enthusiasts will certainly have noticed that the manual, contrary to popular belief, isn’t dead yet. While we aren’t likely to see it in every car, it does seem to be going through a bit of a renaissance. McLaren recently took the covers off the McL 6GT concept, which brought the manual back to the McLaren lineup for the first time in 34 years. It also marked a preview of a production car coming in 2028.
Hennessey and Koenigsegg are also keeping manual transmissions alive. Nissan also bowed down to enthusiast pressure and brought in a manual for the NISMO version of the Z sports car. So it makes sense for Mate Rimac and Bugatti to at least be thinking about introducing them to the range. Not everyone is doing that, as Lamborghini has ruled them out. But a manual Bugatti is certainly a tantalising prospect.