The past decade or so has brought about a rapid decline of the manual transmission. In 2016, there were 92 new cars on sale that would let you row your own gears. In 2026, that number’s fallen to a mere 24 models, with five of those not expected to make it to 2027. Normally, the discontinuation of a manual is a quiet affair, but instead of quietly shuffling the option of a manual gearbox out the back door, Audi decided to send it out with a bang. Welcome to the absurdly rare A4 Ultra Sport.
The final-generation Audi A4 was a bit of a gem. Sure, it’s not quite as athletic in the bends as a BMW 330i or Alfa Romeo Giulia, but it’s comfortable, made of lovely materials, and surprisingly robust for a luxury sedan. Launched in America for the 2017 model year, it featured the third-generation EA888 two-liter turbocharged four-cylinder engine with 252 horsepower, 273 lb.-ft. of torque, and vastly improved reliability over previous standard A4 turbocharged engines.
With time, we’ve discovered that owners will likely have to do a water pump and thermostat along with the crankcase ventilation system eventually, but serious issues are incredibly rare. Plus, if you wanted to reduce potential troubles down the line, the B9 A4 was the last model you could buy with a six-speed manual transmission.
Ticking that box gave you a smooth shifter, a reasonably light clutch pedal, and performance to spare. Even with just 252 horsepower on tap, a stick-shift 2018 A4 2.0T Quattro ran from zero-to-60 mph in 5.1 seconds during Car And Driver instrumented testing. Impressively, only some of that swiftness can be attributed to the traction of an all-wheel-drive launch. Thanks to solid low-end torque, that A4 also put down a five-to-60 MPH run of six seconds flat, four-tenths quicker than a GR Corolla and just two-tenths behind a brand new Volkswagen GTI with a dual-clutch transaxle. Strong stuff, although expect a character of refinement instead of frenzy. As the magazine wrote:
The A4’s acceleration is accompanied by a refined manner and a stoic demeanor. Foot-to-the-floor runs feel more like healthy exercise than desperate straining. The cabin is quiet, and the suspension and body are free of unwanted noise or unwelcome movement. The ride is firm and stable, and a healthy dose of understeer ensures the rear end never feels as if it’s about to take the lead; adding throttle midcorner simply tightens the line in nearly every circumstance short of 10/10ths, which you’re not likely to reach on the street. Steering inputs result in precise directional changes, although the helm can feel a little overboosted at times and light at highway speeds.
Mind you, the writing was sort of on the wall for the stick-shift B9-generation A4 pretty much as soon as it launched. Audi forecast a take rate of about five percent, a number that simply wasn’t sustainable in the long run. Thus, at the end of the 2018 model year, the plug was pulled on the row-your-own A4 but not before a little celebration.
The 2018 A4 Ultra Sport wasn’t the first compact Audi sedan to bear that designation. It harkened back to a package for the 2004 and 2005 A4 that added deeper valences and skirts, multispoke wheels, an S-Line three-spoke steering wheel, and aluminum interior trim in addition to sports suspension and summer tires. Perhaps unsurprisingly, the 2018 A4 Ultra Sport followed a similar formula in extremely limited numbers.
This 40-unit run-out special added 19-inch rotor-style alloy wheels, mirror caps and a rear spoiler made from carbon fiber, black trim around the windows and on the grille, a black headliner, sports seats, and a sports steering wheel. As for functional changes under the skin, it also included lowered springs and adaptive dampers, along with a variable-ratio steering rack. Equipment levels were understandably high. Think stainless pedals, carbon fiber interior trim from the RS division, a full digital instrument cluster, a Bang & Olufsen 19-speaker sound system, power-folding mirrors, and LED headlights. The only color on offer was Quantum Grey, normally reserved for the S4, meaning pretty much the entire run of A4 Ultra Sports were identical. All except for one.
As it turns out, precisely one A4 Ultra Sport was built in fully-loaded Prestige trim as a company car of sorts. See, for years, Audi enthusiasts could only find 39 of the 40 Ultra Sports when searching by VIN, with this one-of-one example hidden due to a different trim code in the VIN. Unlike other examples, this especially unique A4 Ultra Sport came with added luxuries like a head-up display, laminated front side glass, and a 360-degree camera system. A true unicorn, then.
Still, it’s not like the Ultra Sport is common as a whole. A 40-car run is fewer units than Bugatti made of the Chiron Pur Sport, so these last-call manual A4s don’t pop up for sale often. This example sold on Bring A Trailer in 2025 for $24,250, and it seems both well-sold and well-bought. With 45,000 miles on the clock, a clean Carfax, and some minor visual wear and tear, it looks like an honest daily driver.
One year prior, this A4 Ultra Sport sold for $32,850 on Cars & Bids. With 41,300 miles on the clock, a clean Carfax, and great presentation in a hotter market, it’s not entirely surprising this example brought in some serious money. Sure, the carbon fiber mirror caps and spoiler are starting to delaminate, but the seats and steering wheel look to be in excellent shape.
The stick-shift B9 Audi A4 is already an exceptionally rare bird, with only about 2,132 examples sold in America over its brief lifespan. Even compared to that, though, the Ultra Sport is proper hen’s teeth stuff, representing just under 1.9 percent of total stick-shift production. So, if you happen to see a grey A4 with a dash of carbon fiber and a conspicuous set of alloy wheels out in the wild, just know that you might be looking at the very last stick-shift Audi sedan sold in America.
Top graphic image: Cars & Bids
I own a “grey market” version of one of these, with the 6-speed! Somehow, an Ohio based dealer near me picked up a Canadian market 2017 A4, which I didn’t realize was possible.
I was at the dealer looking at a WRX to replace my 2013 Fiat 500 Abarth, which was getting tired and long in the tooth, plus life was pushing me to grow up and get four doors (boo). I wasn’t a fan of the WRX after testing it, and asked “do you have anything else with three pedals?” The salesperson searched the dealer inventory, and only found one other result. “Well, we just got it in yesterday, so it’s not even officially for sale yet. The windshield has a crack. I guess we can take a look though.”
I was immediately skeptical because I was fairly confident 2017 A4s didn’t come with a manual transmission, and assumed it was a mistake. It wasn’t even on my radar as an Abarth replacement, and three pedals were an absolute requirement. When the pulled the car around for me to test drive and I peaked inside… I saw one of the most beautiful sights ever… a six speed stick. I couldn’t trade the Abarth in fast enough.
Mine does not have some of the extras that came with the ultra sport interior (carbon fiber, RS seats), but it does have the 360d camera system, heads up display, RS wheels and badging. With the bonus that it’s a lovely dark, deep blue color, instead of grey.
That sounds absolutely fantastic! Congrats on owning your very own unicorn A4!
Wow, never knew the numbers were so low. When I started working for VW and got access to their internal system for company leases, my mind was blown when I saw one of these available. SIGN ME UP! Sport package, tech package and the 6 speed. I was sold. Still my favorite car that I had while working there. With the summer tires, the car would just GRIP.
The only time I could ever really have fun with it was out around Devils Lake in January. Still on summer tires (not smart), but I felt like Colin Mcrae going sideways at like 10-15mph. This was my first AWD vehicle and I became a believer in Quattro at that point in time.
I didn’t know the sport plus package was a thing, but I didn’t need it. Epic Q car. Understated, quiet, comfortable, quick and just fun to drive. But would I ever buy a used VW product? Oh no, unless its air cooled.
Hmmm. I think mine may actually be almost as rare and rad, but its so hard to find the real numbers. Last fall I flew down to Texas to buy a 2018 A4 quattro, 6MT, premium-plus, s-line, SPORT PLUS package. The sport plus package only came in Daytona grey metallic, with the same wheels as the S5. Same Alcantara interior and flat-bottom wheel, but mine has brushed metal instead of that sweet carbon inside.
My Sport plus also has adaptive suspension dampers, variable steering, B&O 19-speakers, and of course, the 6 speed manual. I snuck my 1-owner trade in out of the moronic Audi dealership for $19k after some haggling, with 61k miles on it, and drove back to Michigan.
P.S. those journalist 0-60 numbers made me lust over this car before I ever drove one – you are only achieving that with a super aggressive, harsh launch and a no-lift shift to 2nd. Otherwise the 252 HP is not particularly breathtaking. Mine has ~315HP after an APR tune (supposedly), but still doesn’t scare me. Thinking intercooler, downpipe, and Integrated-Engineering’s Ethanol flextune next (up to ~378HP).
This would be a fun low key sleeper, if you could find this drivetrain in a wagon I might even be tempted to ignore my own best judgement and look for one! One notable caveat to the EA888’s reliability is its reputation for needing sooner than later a replacement water pump that lives under the intake manifold.
The more recent gen A4 and A6 wagons look so freakin good, real shame they were pulled from NA market. The allroad and RS6 don’t really fill the gap for folks wanting normal wagons, either. The last year of a normal manual audi wagon was what, 2012 or so? Super lame. So I settled for a 2018 a4 sedan myself. Mostly because it’s just going to be my daily commuter at 30+ mpg, or solo road trip car, and occasional family town hauler, but I also have an F150 for all the cargo and such. (IE can live without a wagon).
Yeh it really is too bad they stopped selling normal wagons here, I was in Copenhagen a couple years ago and was drooling over all the great looking Audi and BMW wagons that are no longer offered here.
And if you have a truck I don’t blame ya for getting a sedan, I’ve honestly wondered if I should buy a crappy old truck for house projects and whatnot just so it frees up my daily rom needing to be be a wagon just so I have more options.
And for those who care, this car has the clutch-pack part-time quattro system, “Ultra”, which was mandatory for manual-equipped B9 A4s until the stick-shift option was dropped. The DCT A4 (as well as A5) kept the Torsen center diff until the B9.5 update for 2020.
This is exactly what I wanted to know. Thank you.
I was dissapointed to learn this when I bought my 2018 A4 6MT, but it seems like mostly a nothing burger. The ultra engages faster than I can notice I need rear wheel assist. It basically feels like its always on, as a result.
IMHO they keep switching to building cars that don’t associate well with manual transmissions. 2 seaters from sports cars to trucks are manual transmission vehicles. Sedans, Vans, 4 DOORS and including crew cab are automatic transmission territory.
My 4-door car associates just fine with a manual, thank you very much.
So does my S4 Avant (wagon)
Hyundai Elantra N would like to have a heart to heart talk with you.
I’m not sure why you would care if there are two convenient doors behind you when enjoying the extremely sporty driving dynamics of a fine german vehicle with 6-speed manual. I’ll for dang sure take the extra doors for my kids to use themselves than have to blast the front seats back and forth in a coupe. Not like the wheelbase is noticeably shorter on coupes anyway.
Or my similarly retired friends for ingress and egress.
I had one of the B8.5 A4s in AWD manual. It was nice enough and plenty sporty, but the shifter was just so-so, and the rest of the car behaved like an out of warranty Audi.
In the end the interior was too cramped, so out the door it went.
I still wish they held on to the manual option, but I guess too few people recognize a good thing.
“So, if you happen to see a grey A4 with a dash of carbon fiber and a conspicuous set of alloy wheels out in the wild, just know that you might be looking at the very last stick-shift Audi sedan sold in America.”
I owned one of the very last stick-shift Chevy Trackers sold in America. It was built late in 2003, after 2004 models were already hitting stealership lots, but was sold as a 2003 model because the 2004 models were automatic-only.
Too bad it rusted to the point where I had to replace the oil pan in 2011 and when I traded it in 2012 the stainless exhaust was crumbling and the silver paint was about all that was left of the rocker panels.
It’s interesting, and TBH, $25-35K for it in today’s market doesn’t seem insane, though you’d have to add BaT auction fees and (likely) shipping to the price, plus taxes, title, and registration too. Plus smog testing also, if it were due and you live in a place that has it (like CA).
I’ll take Thomas’ word for it that the engine in this particular Audi isn’t as problem prone as some other ones, but honestly, everything that I’ve seen, read, heard, and watched about Audi cars over the past few decades (including owning one myself, and driving several others both new and used) continues to give me pause about this and any other Audi product.
While I’d lease one if I were into that (I’m not) I’d have a hard time rationalizing actually owning one of these. Unless I did so with the understanding that I’d likely be spending a grand or two every year on top of regular maintenance once the car was a decade old or older.
Well we need to remember we’re getting car advice from people who only drive new selectively chosen for them and only drive it for a week.
Who asked for this?
Didn’t we all ask for a base model wagon instead?
I know I tried to order a Golf 4Motion wagon, with manual, when it existed but VW wouldn’t make it for me and none found. Despite it being a valid model.
Hard to sell a manual when you both don’t stock it and won’t let prospective buyers order one.
All this, yes. I got ridiculed when I stated about dealer stock and a reluctance to order factory. One reader wanted proof, I went shopping and got the “what can I get you into today”. Gah, my neighbor found a 19 Golf Alltrac with MT. Just two weeks ago. Too rich for my blood, but it doesn’t have the I5 like my ’10 Sportwagen
I bought a new 19 Alltrack 6MT brand new for $22.5k, intending it to be my dream sport wagen for long-term. After two years I pulled my mods off and sold it to Carvana for a huge profit ($30.5k), because I was never in love with it. Shifted like a tractor, wasn’t fast (even with tuner), looked frumpy.
I have a 2018 A4 6MT sport-plus now, very close to this ultra-sport trim, sooo much nicer.
For a better example look at dealerships who only order black white and gray and then because that is all the colors they sell figure that is what people want
I ran into the same issue – I asked the dealer if they had a Golf 4Motion wagon with a stick, they said no. I asked if they would order one, they said no. I asked how one would go about getting one if they won’t stock or order one, and they just shrugged. The sales guy then told me to give up, as the dealerships didn’t want to deal with trying to sell a manual if the sale fell through. It was the same for the Golf R, which also blew my mind since it is by-design an enthusiast vehicle.
Sounds like my experience trying to order a Lexus is350 RWD in the midwest. $4,000 deposit, prorated refund based on how long it would take to sell if I turned it down. A bit of a risk.
When did you try to order it? Near the end of 2019 my dealership had four of them out back, three in white (one with the beefy-looking 19″ rim option) and one in red. All manuals. My wife was too spooked by previous VW experiences to consider them.
I just don’t think they sold well compared to the Tiguan, hence dealership reluctance to stock them. Once the Tiguan went from being a Golf with a hat to being a big, spacious tall wagon, that was it for the Alltrack.
Alltrack was a different model from the 4-Motion. The Alltrack was lifted with added plastic bits. But, it would have been at the start of the 2019 model year.
I wanted the 4motion as a proper long-roof with the 1.8T and 6MT – and not have the extra lift.
Oh, okay, yeah I remember the manual 4-Motion wagon. That manual option was a stripper special. ‘S’ trim only with the 1.4T for FWD and 1.8T for AWD. I’ve seen a few on the used market but never saw a new one for sale. The FWD version was intriguing for its ability to get diesel-like highway mileage.
Again, not surprised. The margin on that car must have been very low. In 2017 I tested a Golf manual hatch. Only about $22k new out the door and it had the peppy 1.8T engine along with glass roof and other options to go with a 5-speed manual. A truly analog VW with some niceties… I’m sure the dealer hated it.
They only sold 39 of these and people wonder why they quit selling cars with manual transmissions.
Make it a reliable coupe and offer exciting colors and see what sells.
I don’t think it is explicitly stated, but as I understand it Audi limited the production run of the Ultra Sport to 40, so it was artificially limited, not sales limited. They sold a few thousand more non-Ultra Sport manual B9 A4s, which Thomas noted in the last paragraph.
Is the manual any good on these? A ropey shifter or excessive rev hang will really drag down the appeal. The final manual Accord with the 2.0-liter was notorious for this.
I like the B9 Audis, though I prefer the 5-door Sportback. It’s a nice engine for a 2-liter 4 and I think they did well on the styling and interior.
There are some A5’s with a stick too if you look hard enough.
I have one, 5 years and 35k miles done, all it’s needed other than servicing is a wheel bearing. It’s quick, comfy and surprisingly economical, a really good daily driver. Big trunk too. Not the most entertaining car, but a very satisfying one.
That’s super cool. They’re really rare. I have an 18 S5. I’d love to add a manual A5 to my stable one day, but due to their scarcity they don’t depreciate like regular Audis so they’re still pretty expensive.
Part of why I went with the A4 – some dealers/sellers dont recognize what they have and think it’s a basic model. I got a 2018 6MT sport-plus (almost the same as ultrasport) with 61k miles for $19k last fall. The arrogant dealership and salespeople were more focused on bullshit markups than even understanding what the car was.
It’s good! I bought a used 2018 A4 6MT Sport-plus (almost same as this ultra sport) last fall. Shifts really nice, no rev hang (especially after a $500 APR/unitronic/IE tune that adds 60 HP), fast enough but not scary. The only thing I hate is occasional clutch-chatter on launch if I get the revs exactly wrong and/or turn up a steep hill while starting off. Some combination of clutch wear plus awd funkiness. Maybe fixable?
I’m so glad the shiny primer fad is dying. Along with the “frosted” flat paint fad.
I could do without that carbon fiber interior trim Audi has been ga-ga over in any of their sport-trimmed cars, as well. Overused kitsch, and cold-looking.
VERY much agreed. I hate the stuff. Audi ergonomics and I have never gotten along either.
The Avocado Kitchen of the current era
Yet the glossy black wheels fad knows no end……it seems EVERYTHING comes with black wheels today.
I know! I actually admire “smoke metallic” for having SOME shine.
Ugh, also something I hate. Cars need a little jewelry.
By “shiny primer” do you mean matte paint? Because this is not going away for a while.
No – these glossy primer gray/tan/griege colors. Matte paint does seem to be getting less common. I think word is spreading about what a nightmare it is to maintain.
Ah! The ones that look like mildly glossy primer, but when you get close there is a tablespoon of metallic in there. I know what you’re talking about.
This car is a great example of the color. Like they just shot clearcoat right over the primer. Blech, the ultimate “non-color”. It was EVERYWHERE a few years ago.
People today are so boring – even when automakers offer actual colors, most people just choose some some shade of grayscale. I miss the days when a parking lot looked like a spilled bag of Skittles, not a black and white photograph.
I have an image from a Ferrari 308 GT4 factory from the 70’s. Only 10% of the cars are red. Everything else is vibrant and interesting! So much variety!
Yeah, they came in some great colors other than red. The dark blue and the bright yellow are favorites of mine.
But much as I am not a fan of red in general (exception for Mazda Soul Red), I will take red over grayscale.