Jaguar F-Type to Get Manual Transmission

Tata Motors Ltd.'s Jaguar Cars unit plans to bring back the manual transmission at least on the F-Type sports car due next year, Autocar reports.

Global brand director Adrian Hallmark tells the British magazine that sports cars need a manual transmission for "credibility." He says Jaguar is pondering a manual gearbox with at least six forward speeds.

Hallmark says Jaguar also might consider a manual for its XF sport sedan, but not for any of its larger models. Autocar opines that the company is not likely to offer a manual on any model for at least 12 months.