Back in the 1980s, manual transmissions were all the rage. You can't find many cars without at least a manual transmission as an option. Now, automatic transmissions rule the roost. Kelley Blue Book surveyed how many people in the USA with a driver's license can also drive a manual transmission. KBB says only about 55% of Americans can drive a stick shift. You can definitely still find brand-new cars that offer manual transmissions, but they're going to be in sports cars or smaller compact segments like the Subaru WRX, the Mazda 3, or the Honda Civic.In the sports car segment, you can still find them in many of the BMW M models. Ford Mustang GTs actually come standard with a 6-speed manual, and the Mazda MX-5 Miata, just to name a few. Many cars now come with "automated manual" transmissions or automatic gearboxes with an optional manual mode. Purists will balk at this type of transmission, but paddle shifters act as a way to make you feel that you're in total control of the transmission and give you a manual adjacent feeling.Supercars and hypercars used to have manual transmission options often, but you'd be hard-pressed to find one these days. Love it or hate it, it's a reality for auto enthusiasts these days, but if you still want to get your third pedal fix and find out what the fastest car with a manual transmission is, then look no further. 2015 Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 0-60 MPH In 4.0 Seconds FordFirst on our list is the most recent Mustang Shelby GT series generation. It was revitalized for the fifth generation Mustang and was the fastest Mustang of the time. Then, they came out with the sixth generation GT350, which has even more impressive technology and output.Not only is the displacement smaller than the GT500, but the Ford Mustang Shelby GT350 also has slightly less power but can still achieve a faster top speed and 0 to 60 times than that of the early 2000s model GT500. In Mustang fashion, however, a 6-speed manual transmission is offered. Lamborghini Murcielago 0-60 MPH In 3.5 Seconds LamborghiniEvery kid who loved cars in the early 2000s had one of these on a poster on their wall. The Lamborghini Murciélago was the first model after Audi's takeover in 2001. It was actually introduced with a 6-speed manual gearbox when it launched.But halfway through its life cycle, it was offered with an automated manual featuring paddle shifters. It has a ferocious, naturally aspirated V12 engine that outputs 572 horsepower and has a top speed of 205 mph. They're still worth a pretty penny, with Hagerty valuing one in good condition at around $169,000. Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing 0-60 MPH In 3.5 Seconds CadillacThe muscle car isn't dead, and the Cadillac CT5-V Blackwing is here to prove it, so much so that Cadillac is continuing the production of this iconic V Blackwing with a refresh for the 2025 model year. The Blackwing has an out-of-control supercharged V8 engine that outputs supercar-level power at 668 horsepower and 659 pound-feet of torque.It has a top speed of 200 mph and has a 0 to 60 time of 3.5 seconds. You can opt for the optional 10-speed automatic transmission, and it also comes with Super Cruise if you get that version, but the six-speed manual is always a fun choice. Audi R8 V10 Plus (First Gen) 0-60 MPH 3.4 Seconds AudiThe Audi R8 was originally equipped with a naturally aspirated V8 in 2006. It was Audi's first (and only) attempt to make a supercar that could compete with Ferraris and McLarens.When Audi bought Lamborghini in 2009, the R8 took the naturally aspirated V10 from the Murciélago and made it faster than ever before. The V10 outputs 518 horsepower and 391 pound-feet of torque, allowing the R8 to reach 196 mph and a 0-to-60-mph time of 3.4 seconds. Chevrolet Camaro ZL1 0-60 MPH In 3.4 Seconds ChevroletLong live the Chevrolet Camaro ZL1. We've forgiven this part-muscle, part-supercar Chevy on HotCars before, but we've probably not mentioned that you can have all this power with a 6-speed manual transmission.The ZL1 has specialty front and rear fascias, a rear wing that provides more downforce for the added power, and oversized brakes. The supercharged V8 outputs equal amounts of power, 650 horsepower, and 650 pound-feet of torque and can accelerate from 0 to 60 in a neck-breaking 3.4 seconds. Dodge Viper ACR 0-60 MPH In 3.3 Seconds Vehicle Virgins YouTubeThe club racer yet barely street-legal Dodge Viper ACR is a rip-roaring good time thanks to its naturally aspirated V10 that outputs 645 horsepower and 600 pound-feet of torque. Not only is it powered by a big block V10, but it also has construction done to it that helps give it that extra "oomph" on the track and on the road.It has a high-performance front splitter, a rear diffuser, a massive rear wing, and even aerodynamic canards on the front bumper, giving it slightly more downforce in apex turns. All of that combined gives it a 0 to 60 time of 3.3 seconds with a 6-speed manual. Chevrolet Corvette Z06 (C7) 0-60 MPH In 3.0 Seconds General MotorsThe C7 is the final version of any Corvette with an optional manual transmission. From now on, the C8 will only come standard with an 8-speed automatic transmission. Look no further if you're pining for the "old days" and want a Corvette with a manual.The Corvette C7's Z06 came optional with a 7-speed manual transmission tied to a supercharged V8 engine that outputs 650 horsepower and 650 pound-feet of torque. This rear-wheel-drive sports car can reach 60 mph in just 3.0 seconds and has a top speed of 196 mph. Hennessey Venom GT Spyder 0-60 MPH In 3.0 Seconds HennesseyThe Hennessey Venom GT Spyder might take many parts from other previously engineered vehicles, but it is by far the most extreme use case of shared technology and features. The body itself is based on a Lotus platform. Meanwhile, the LS7 twin-turbocharged V8 from Chevrolet powers this incredible feat of engineering to produce 1,200 horsepower and 1,135 pound-feet of torque.That makes this the highest-output engine on the list. It's also, bar none, the fastest on the list, with a top speed of 270 mph. Surprisingly, however, it only has a 0 to 60 time of three seconds flat (not that that's slow), and even more surprisingly, it comes with a 6-speed manual transmission. Porsche 911 GT3 (992) 0-60 MPH In 2.7 Seconds PorscheUnsurprisingly, the Porsche 911 GT3 is the second-fastest car with a manual transmission. Its naturally aspirated boxer 6-cylinder engine produces 503 horsepower and 347 pound-feet of torque. Porsche's engines are a work of art and an engineering marvel.Typically, their PDK transmissions are top-notch, but they offer an equally top-notch 6-speed manual transmission. With all of this combined, you can get up to speed in just 2.7 seconds, and this 911 has a top speed of 199 mph, according to FastestLaps. Gordon Murray T.50 0-60 MPH In 2.3 Seconds Gordon Murray AutomotiveThe name might not be recognizable to some, but the body of this car should be. Gordon Murray is the engineer behind the legendary McLaren F1. You can see the inspiration for that in the Gordon Murray T.50. This spiritual successor to the F1 has taken the number one spot for the fastest car with a manual transmission.It sports a naturally aspirated V 12 engine that outputs an unstoppable 661 horsepower and 353 pound-feet of torque. It gets 0 to 60 in a blistering 2.3 seconds, all tied to a 6-speed manual transmission.
