TECH TORQUE: FRASER STRONACH

THE automotive world is being turned on its head right now, but that doesn't mean we aren't about to be swamped by EVs, nor will anytime in the foreseeable future. But what is on the endangered list is the manual gearbox and its availability in new four-wheel drives.

- FRASER STRONACH

AUTOMATIC CHOICE

Ford's next-generation Ranger, a significant new model not just for the 4x4 and ute markets but for the overall new-car market in Australia, isn't available with a manual gearbox.

No manual, of course, in Toyota's 300 Series LandCruiser, as there wasn't with the 200 Series. And you can no longer buy a manual Prado or a manual in the other popular 4x4 wagons: Isuzu MU-X, Mitsubishi Pajero Sport, Toyota Fortuner and Ford Everest. There's also a good chance the next-generation Hilux will be auto-only, at least in up-spec 4x4 variants.

Meanwhile over at Land Rover/Range Rover, manual gearboxes disappeared long ago, while Jeep doesn't offer a manual at all, not even in the Wrangler Rubicon.

Lack of buyer demand, claims Ford, is the reason it doesn't offer a manual in the new Ranger. A manual is available with the new Ranger in some overseas markets, just not here in Australia. Lack of buyer demand is also the reason why Toyota dropped the manual option from the Prado.