That I did not know, but makes absolute sense. Now, France being the odd market it is, car-related shows to not have a huge following, so I would not be surprised if no one picked it up. The only channel I could think of (RMC) has Top Gear and its French version, so agreements with the BBC might prevent it from…

True. And also given that in spite of the trio’s popularity whilst on top gear, the new show isn’t available everywhere. France, for instance, doesn’t have Amazon video. Then again, why would Clarkson care for the cheese-eating surrender-monkeys...

Some like it. I think it’s lacking a more quiet cruising gear and I prefer the higher rev limit. I never consider 5-speed when I was shopping for mine :)

No. In Europe there was never an automatic offered. You solely had the choice between 192hp/5-speed and 231hp/6-speed. Both manuals. Believe me, I’m often enough surrounded by both versions.

I lol’d.

Europe excluded, though double-clutches are forcing the manuals out anyhow.

192hp engined-cars have a 5-speed manual in Europe to the very least. Other territories, I’m not certain.

The RX8 was available in both 5- and 6-speed flavours, which were linked to the 192 and 231hp engines respectively (I have a 6-speed).

If you ever go to France, the museum holding the Schlumpf collection in Mulhouse, Alsace, holds quite a few of these off cars. And since they also have the largest collection of Bugattis, also on cars.

I like mine all the way to the right and down. My Renault 5 is like that (beyond 4th gear), my RX8 is like that (punch down the shifter, go beyond 6th), and my in-laws terrible Peugeot 307 is like that (below 5th gear).

I have, just this morning, after changing the registration so I can drive it in Paris again on weekdays.