Manual Gearboxes Are Back on the Menu — What It Means for WA Buyers

If you've been quietly hoping the manual gearbox would survive the march toward automatics and EVs, there's good news. The global CEO of Nissan's performance arm Nismo, Yutaka Sanada, has confirmed that customer demand for three-pedal cars is on the rise — and the brand is listening.

"Customer demand for the three-pedal is coming back," Sanada told media during the announcement of Nismo's first Performance Centre in Australia, due to open in Melbourne by the end of 2026.

What This Means for the Nissan Z in WA Showrooms

The most immediate impact for WA buyers is the Nissan Z Nismo. When the latest version launched locally, Nissan offered it exclusively with a nine-speed automatic — a decision that didn't go down well with driving enthusiasts. A manual version is now on the way, a direct response to customer feedback.

In the meantime, the standard Nissan Z remains the only model in Nissan's local lineup with a manual option. The Navara ute, despite sharing its underpinnings with the Mitsubishi Triton — which still offers a manual — is automatic-only. That's a frustrating gap for WA tradies and regional buyers who prefer the control and repairability of a manual, particularly those heading out past the metro area where servicing options are limited.

Sanada also wouldn't rule out a Nismo model with a manual for a potential Nissan Skyline return to Australian showrooms — the nameplate has been absent here for 35 years, and speculation is building.

The Manual Landscape for WA Performance Car Buyers Right Now

For buyers who want a proper three-pedal experience today, there's actually a solid range to choose from across different price points.

At the more accessible end, the Toyota GR86, Subaru BRZ, and Mazda MX-5 all offer manual gearboxes and remain popular choices for weekend driving on WA's wide-open roads. The Subaru WRX, Honda Civic Type R, Toyota GR Corolla, GR Yaris, and Hyundai's i20 N and i30 N round out the hot hatch and performance sedan options.

Ford is staying the course too. The Mustang remains available with a manual, and Ford's global CEO Jim Farley has made clear it won't be going anywhere anytime soon. Given how popular the Mustang is in WA — it's regularly one of the top-selling sports cars in the state — that'll matter to a lot of local buyers.

At the premium end, Porsche still sells the 911 with a six-speed manual — a genuine rarity at that price point. BMW has committed to keeping manual options in the M2, M3, and M4 until at least 2030, though the M boss has confirmed no new manual gearbox is being developed. Mercedes-Benz and Audi have effectively walked away from manuals in Australia entirely.

The new Honda Prelude is also notable for what it's missing — despite the hybrid powertrain, there's no manual on offer, even though the old CR-Z managed to combine hybrid tech with a three-pedal setup.

For WA drivers who spend real time behind the wheel — whether that's commuting through Perth or covering serious distance on a regional run — the manual question is less about nostalgia and more about driver engagement and long-term ownership costs. The fact that manufacturers are responding to demand rather than phasing them out quietly is a good sign for anyone still holding out for three pedals.