Lamborghini rules out making another car with a manual transmission

Offering a stick would cost too much -- even for Lamborghini.

Lamborghini is open to the idea of making more limited-edition models aimed at well-heeled collectors in the coming years, but don't expect any of the firm's upcoming models to come with a manual transmission. Adding a clutch pedal to any current or future Lamborghini would cost far too much, the company explained.

Speaking to Motor Trend, Lamborghini boss Stefano Domenicali explained his team would like to once again release a car with a manual transmission, but it can't justify the investment that adding the gearbox would require. He gave the publication an example. Imagine charging $25,000 for a stick-shifted Aventador off-shoot and making 200 units of it. Lamborghini would pocket $5 million, but that sum wouldn't be high enough to cover the development costs.

The Aventador's naturally-aspirated V12 engine is unique; it shares no components with the engine found in any other model. The manual gearbox would have to be developed specifically for it, which would cost a small fortune, even for a high-end automaker that can charge lofty prices for its cars.

The manual gearbox offered in the Lamborghini Huracan's predecessor, the Gallardo, and in the original Audi R8 it's related to has been out of production for too long. Making it again would require a sizable investment, Domenicali explained. And, demand for a stick-shifted Urus is likely too low to even look into making a manual transmission available.

Lamborghini remains committed to keeping the naturally-aspirated V12 engine alive for as long as possible, even if it means integrating it into a hybrid powertrain, but don't expect any of its future models to come with a manual transmission.