Alfa Romeo has pulled a fast one on us Americans by removing a key feature from the 505-hp Giulia Quadrifoglio‘s U.S. equipment list: a manual transmission. FCA now says that the high-performance sedan will only be offered with an eight-speed automatic here, contradicting a previous announcement that the Getrag six-speed manual transmission would be standard equipment.
We’re disappointed, obviously, even though the automatic-transmission Quadrifoglio was a minute quicker around the Nürburgring than the manual. The six-speed gearbox still will be offered in Europe. Alfa said a low take rate for manuals in the States prompted the company to nix the stick-shift option on our shores. Even so, BMW offers a manual transmission for the M3, and Cadillac does the same for the ATS-V, so Alfa could be missing out on a few high-performance-sedan customers who insist on a clutch pedal.
First Drive: 2017 Alfa Romeo Giulia
Tested: 2016 Cadillac ATS-V Sedan Manual
Alfa Romeo Giulia Quadrifoglio Research: Specs, Reviews, and More

The more mainstream Alfa Romeo Giulia models, powered by a 2.0-liter turbocharged four-cylinder, also do without a manual transmission?which we’ve known all along. Both versions of the new sedan are set to go on sale in the U.S. early next year.

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