Buy a new car in automatic transmission: why is it more expensive than’a manual ?

In 2021, cars with automatic boxes represented 54 % of new purchases in France. This is a real revolution for the French car market. Indeed, the ATCs barely reached 9 % of sales of new vehicles in 2010. These data demonstrate an evolution of apprehensions to the automatic.

They could even grab 80 % of the market’Here at 2030.

What are the advantages of an automatic transmission ?

A New car in automatic transmission stands out above all by driving comfort. Indeed, the vehicle proceeds to the passage of report without the intervention of the person behind the wheel. So you no longer need to think about speeds.

This option is very popular young, but despised by fans of thermal engines. Thus, specialized platforms often insist on the type of on -board box, when you are looking for your new car on the site.

The contempt for French motorists largely comes from the speed boxes of the 1980s. At the time, this equipment was characterized by a certain slowness of diet changes and a monotonous driving experience. The reluctance of enthusiasts was then understandable and even justified. The technical evolution nevertheless made it possible to solve these problems.

Manufacturers have also developed various features for Improve driving comfort On automatic transmission models. From now on, you can take advantage of the effects of the double clutch, the continuous variation, the torque converter … These innovations have made automatic cars more dynamic and pleasant to drive.

On the other hand, the automatic transmission is conducive to ecoconduite. This method is now recommended to reduce consumption and level of CO2 emissions from cars. It consists in particular in avoiding the changes of brutal and late diet.

Likewise, you should not downside and brake suddenly. In other words, you must drive regularly and fluid. This is precisely the driving style dictated by the automatic transmission.

Why is a car in automatic transmission more expensive than a manual ?

In general, a New car in automatic transmission is more expensive than a model with manual relationship. The difference is especially visible by changing only this option on two identical vehicles (brand, model and finishes). In other conditions, you will have difficulty identifying the additional cost linked to the automatic gearbox. This gap comes in particular:

• A longer and more expensive manufacturing process;
• Relatively rare specific components (and therefore expensive);
• A less significant production volume compared to manual boxes;
• A pricing policy promoting comfort gain on automatic.

For the same model, the price difference varies on average between 1,000 and 2,500 euros. However, it depends on the type of automatic transmission preferred by the brand. Thus, the gap is estimated between:

• 700 and 1,000 euros for a single clutch gearbox;
• 1500 and 2,000 euros for a double clutch mechanism;
• 1600 and 2500 euros, for a CVT box (continuous variation transmission) or a torque converter box.

It is nevertheless possible to find a limited price difference between manual and automatic boxes. On the city center segment for example, the difference may vary between 300 and 700 euros depending on the manufacturers. In any case, automatic box models are most often more expensive than manual versions on the new market.

Is this the end of the manual ?

A new automatic transmission car is currently a pleonasm on the main public electric market. Indeed, manual boxes are only present on concept cars for the moment. However, the idea turns out to be paradoxical in a context promoting ecoconduite. The automotive industry also intends to generalize the electric motorization by 2035.

Logically, manual gearboxes should gradually disappear.

This trend seems to be confirmed by the scarcity of new thermal cars with manual boxes. In addition, Aston Martin and Volkswagen have already announced the abandonment of this type of gearbox of’Here at 2030. The German manufacturer is historically recognized for its ability to anticipate the evolution of the sector.

Thus, his project can be considered an additional sign of the end of manuals.

Beyond CO2 emissions, manual driving has tendency to consume more energy than automatic. This defect could even last after switching to electric. Moreover, the main actors of this segment did not opt by chance for the automatic boxes.

The disappearance of manual boxes therefore seems inevitable with regard to the increase in energy prices.

That said, some concept cars can still offer a future for manual gearboxes, even in confidential markets. The JEEP WRANGLER MAGNETO concept is notably one of the most promising with its 6 -speed box. It is equipped with a 100 % electric motorization of 3.6 liters and a clutch system quite similar to that of a thermal model. Unveiled in 2019, the Ford Mustang Lithium is just as interesting.

It offers 6 speeds on a getrag box provided for acceleration races.