Core77

Cadillac Bringing Back Manual Transmissions, With 3D-Printed Stickshift Caps

The decision comes from some surprising stats

By Rain Noe - January 19, 2021

in Cars | Digital Fabrication

Cadillac has yet to unveil their 2022 V-series Blackwing sedans, but they have announced a surprising feature they'll boast: Manual transmissions. Both the CT4-V and CT5-V will come "standard" with a 6-speed. "It's something we know V-Series buyers want and it's something we knew we had to have," said Mirza Grebovic, Cadillac performance variant manager. "There are a few ways to really get that connected feel with the vehicle and the manual transmission is probably the most obvious one."

Grebovic adds that they "used innovative processes to make [the manual transmissions] happen," by which he's apparently referring to the "unique 3D-printed medallion [that] will sit on the manual shifter knob:"

I am not at all sure why that had to be 3D-printed, and I find the design a bit of a letdown, to be honest. The aesthetic seems oddly tech-y for such an analog feature, but perhaps it will match with the look of the Blackwings, which won't be unveiled until February 1st.

Part of what led Cadillac to roll out stickshifts is some surprising research from a Harris Poll study they commissioned:

- Sixty-six percent of American adults surveyed know how to drive a manual.

- Of those who do not know how to drive a manual, roughly 40 percent are either somewhat or very interested in learning.

- More than half (55 percent) of American adults say they have owned or leased a car with a manual transmission.

- Interest in driving or learning to drive a manual is higher among those with $75,000 or more in annual household income (64 percent interested) and those between 18-34 in age (62 percent interested).

I'd have guessed that the majority of adults couldn't drive a manual. I'd also have guessed that those who preferred stick would skew older, not younger. But in Cadillac's opinion, it's "one of the most popular features for driving enthusiasts." The question is, will other brands follow suit?

o

Favorite This
Q
3

Comment

Comments

m powers

3 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I obviously have no inside knowledge of how this decision was made, but I do know that not only is the cost of 3D printing coming down, but specifically for smaller runs it can be more cost effective than having the tooling made plus the cost of materials and manufacturing. Obviously GM already has an enormous fleet of 3D printers so it's not like they're having to farm this out to Shapeways.

And for the size of the part, I'd wager they did the whole run in one shot for the low production numbers I'm assuming this model will be produced in.

But I agree with other commenters; the design is a little underwhelming.

!Report as spam
Chuck Mack

3 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

I agree, the design of that cap on the shifter is a dud. No doubt some group-think guy argued for it and somehow won that one.
Overall, a manual Caddy with a powerful ICE - excellent!
Lose the flat screen though, dangerous at any speed.

!Report as spam
Orlando Rosa

3 years ago

Z

Z

Reply

60%? Don't think so. I drive a manual as an uber and most people cannot fathom driving a stick...BUT...PLEASE! GO AHEAD AND MAKE THEM!!!
ILL BUY ONE!!!

!Report as spam