The rate at which manual transmissions are slowly being offered in fewer and fewer cars simply blows our minds here at TopSpeed. There are few driving pleasures which can match up to performing a picture-perfect upshift, or even better, performing a perfect downshift with some heel and toe action thrown in. Unfortunately, the vast majority of people are not petrol heads, and only use cars to get from point A to point B.

However, there is a silver lining in this seemingly never ending cloud of darkness. Sources very close to Porsche->ke1 have leaked to Teamspeed that the upcoming 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 will come standard with a manual transmission, with the technologically-advanced, yet less satisfying, PDK transmission set to be available as an optional extra.

Automotive and Porsche enthusiasts all over the world, you may now take a deep sigh of relief. With some of Porsche’s main competitors including Ferrari and Lamborghini phasing out manuals, we only assumed Porsche would follow suit, but thankfully, we were mistaken.

Don’t get overly excited however, as manual Porsches will eventually be a thing of the past, and if this report holds water, the 2013 Porsche 911 GT3 may be the very last Porsche to come with three pedals. If demand is high enough for the manual, Porsche will likely also offer it in the 911 GT3 RS which would likely make a debut 12 to 18 months after the GT3.

So, the moral of the story. Well, if you’re looking for a new Porsche, don’t go with the boring old Carrera or Carrera S, wait for the 911 GT3 to come out and order it in a manual, as we cannot foresee a world without real drivers cars!

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