Which cars have a 7‑speed manual transmission?

Only a handful of production cars have ever offered a 7‑speed manual: chiefly the Porsche 911 (select 991 and 992 models from 2012–2024), the Chevrolet C7 Corvette (2014–2019), and a few limited-run Aston Martins (notably V12 Vantage S/AMR, V12 Vantage V600, and Vantage AMR). These gearboxes are rare; most modern manuals remain 6‑speed or are replaced by dual‑clutch/automatic units. Below is a detailed, model-by-model guide and the key nuances to know.

Production cars that offered a factory 7‑speed manual

The following list covers road-legal production models that were sold new with a true 7‑speed manual transmission and a clutch pedal. It excludes dual‑clutch transmissions and automated manuals, which may also have seven (or more) forward gears but are not driver-operated manuals.

• Porsche 911 (991 generation, 2012–2019)
  — Carrera, Carrera S, Carrera 4/4S, and GTS models (coupes and cabriolets) offered a 7‑speed manual. Special editions based on these (e.g., 911 50th Anniversary Edition; 2018–2019 Carrera T) also used the 7‑speed manual. Note: 991 GT models (GT3/RS) and most Targa variants were not 7‑speed manuals.
• Porsche 911 (992.1 generation, ~2020–2024)
  — A 7‑speed manual was available on the Carrera S and Carrera 4S (from 2020 in many markets), offered on the Carrera GTS range (2022–2024), and standard on the Carrera T (2023–2024). The 2023 911 Sport Classic was 7‑speed manual only. GT-badged 992 models with manuals use a 6‑speed, not seven.
• Chevrolet Corvette (C7, 2014–2019)
  — Stingray (including Z51), Grand Sport, Z06, and ZR1 could be equipped with a Tremec TR‑6070 7‑speed manual, often paired with active rev-matching. The C8 Corvette is dual‑clutch only.
• Aston Martin V12 Vantage S (2017–2018)
  — Optional 7‑speed “dogleg” manual (first gear positioned down/left), a purist-focused alternative to the earlier automated manual.
• Aston Martin V12 Vantage AMR (2017) and V12 Vantage V600 (2018)
  — Limited-run specials featuring a 7‑speed dogleg manual.
• Aston Martin Vantage AMR (2019–2020)
  — Limited to 200 cars globally, the V8-powered AMR adopted a 7‑speed dogleg manual (with “AMSHIFT” rev-matching). In select markets, a similar 7‑speed manual became briefly available on non‑AMR Vantage models around 2021 before being discontinued.

That’s the core roster of factory 7‑speed manuals. If a car isn’t here, it likely uses a 6‑speed manual or a multi‑gear automatic/dual‑clutch system rather than a true seven‑speed stick.

Important nuances and availability caveats

Before you shop or cite a specific trim, it helps to understand a few model‑year and regional wrinkles. The points below highlight the most common pitfalls when identifying 7‑speed manual cars.

• Porsche 911 model detail matters: Many 911 GT variants with a manual use a 6‑speed, even in generations where Carreras have 7‑speeds.
• Body style can change the answer: Several Targa variants in the 991 and 992 era were PDK-only; don’t assume a manual existed for every body style.
• 992.2 update (2024–2025): Porsche’s facelifted 992 Carrera GTS launched with a hybridized powertrain and PDK only; manual availability on non‑GTS 992.2 models will depend on Porsche’s subsequent announcements and market specifics.
• Regional/market restrictions: Some 7‑speed manuals (especially Aston Martins) were restricted by market, model year, or production cap.
• Automated manuals aren’t manuals: Systems like Aston’s earlier “Sportshift” or other single‑clutch automated gearboxes may have seven gears but lack a clutch pedal and do not qualify as true manuals.

In short, verify year, trim, and market when you’re tracking a 7‑speed manual—small specification changes can make a big difference.

Why 7‑speed manuals are so rare

Seven forward gears in a manual box promise both close ratios for performance and a tall cruising gear for efficiency. But packaging, shift feel, and cost are challenging, and automakers have largely moved performance models to dual‑clutch or high‑speed automatics that shift faster and meet emissions targets more easily. That’s why the format appeared mainly in niche performance cars from Porsche, Chevrolet, and Aston Martin during the 2010s and early 2020s.

How to confirm a specific car has the 7‑speed manual

If you’re buying or verifying a particular vehicle, these steps help ensure it actually has the 7‑speed manual and not a different transmission.

• Check the build sheet or window sticker for the exact transmission code (e.g., Tremec TR‑6070 on C7 Corvette; 7‑speed manual option code on 911 trims).
• Cross‑reference the model year and trim with official brochures or the manufacturer’s configurator archives.
• Look for visual cues: a 7‑speed shift pattern on the knob (often with a dogleg pattern on certain Aston Martins).
• Consult specialist forums or registries for your model; they often track which markets/years allowed 7‑speed manuals.

Because manuals became rarer late in each model’s run, documentation and expert communities are invaluable to avoid mislabelled listings.

Summary

A true 7‑speed manual has been offered by only a few makers: Porsche 911 (select 991 and 992 Carrera-family models from 2012–2024, including the 2023 Sport Classic), Chevrolet’s C7 Corvette lineup (2014–2019), and limited Aston Martins such as the V12 Vantage S/AMR, V12 Vantage V600, and Vantage AMR. Availability depends heavily on year, trim, body style, and market, and some newer updates (notably the 992.2 GTS) are PDK-only. If you’re hunting one, verify specifications by VIN, build sheet, and official documentation.

Do manual cars have 7 gears?

Contemporary manual transmissions for cars typically use five or six forward gears ratios and one reverse gear; however, transmissions with between two and seven gears have been produced at times.

Who makes 7-speed manual transmission?

TREMEC®
TREMEC®, a leader in high-performance drivetrain solutions, designs and manufactures original equipment 7-speed manual transmission systems.

Why are 7-speed manuals rare?

Essentially, this means that a traditional 7-speed manual has never been offered in a true entry-level vehicle on the mass market. As a result, they never truly broke out into the mainstream or even had a chance to, especially in an era where the manual in and of itself is already dying out.

What manual car has 7 gears?

Cars with a 7-speed manual transmission are rare but include models like the Porsche 911, Chevrolet Corvette C7, the Ford Bronco, and the Pagani Utopia. The 7-speed manual was a unique transmission option in some performance and luxury vehicles, sometimes including a special “crawling” gear for off-roading, as seen in the Ford Bronco. 
Examples of Cars with 7-Speed Manuals

• Porsche 911: Opens in new tabThe Porsche 911 has offered a 7-speed manual option on models like the Carrera S, Carrera 4S, and Targa 4S, providing a more engaged driving experience with features like rev-matching. 
• Chevrolet Corvette C7: Opens in new tabThe C7 generation of the Corvette offered a 7-speed manual transmission that included active rev-matching technology for smoother gear changes. 
• Ford Bronco: Opens in new tabThe 2021 Ford Bronco features a unique 7-speed manual, with the seventh gear acting as a low-speed “crawler” gear designed for serious off-road terrain. 
• Pagani Utopia: Opens in new tabThe ultra-luxury Pagani Utopia also utilizes a 7-speed manual gearbox. 

Why 7-Speed Manuals Are Uncommon

• Market Decline: Manual transmissions in general have become less common as automakers shift to automatic or dual-clutch systems, a trend that has limited the development of new manual options. 
• Specialized Use: The 7-speed manual was often a specific choice for performance or off-road applications rather than a mass-market entry-level option. 
• Complexity: The added complexity and cost of a 7-speed manual over a more traditional 5- or 6-speed gearbox often made it less practical for widespread production.