ArcaMax

Some lament the passing of the manual transmission - me among them. But that puts me among the minority, because the majority seems to prefer the automatic, especially now that automatics are often the more fuel-efficient choice.

Perhaps this changing of the proverbial guard accounts for VW's decision to offer the '15 Tiguan in automatic-only form for the first time. Previously, this small crossover SUV was one of the very few such available with a six-speed manual. (One of the Last Men Standing as of this moment is the Mazda CX-5, which you can still get - for the moment - with a manual.) I'm ambivalent.

The manual (and turbo'd) Tiggy was - in my opinion - more fun to drive. And it was certainly more affordable - even if the automatic-equipped version got slightly better fuel economy.

VW's marketing people no doubt know better, having read the sales charts and -probably - discovering that only a handful of Tiguan buyers bought manual-equipped Tiggys. On the other hand, the quiet dropping of the Tiggy's formerly available six-speed stick (there's no overt mention on VW's web site; just that all 2015 Tiggy's now come standard with the "direct shift" DSG automatic) may be due to the political realities of our time. The 1-3 MPG fuel-efficiency advantage the DSG has over the manual may have been the true cause of the six-speed stick's demise.

Believe it or else, these days, even a 1-3 MPG difference matters that much. Not so much to buyers, but to bureaucrats. Next year - couple of months from now - when the 2016 models start rolling out - the fed's 35.5 MPG average fuel efficiency fatwawill go into effect. Any vehicle - car, truck or crossover SUV - that does not meet that average will cost its manufacturer money, in the form of "gas guzzler" fines, which will of course be passed on to buyers.

Hence, the likely real reason for the loss of the 2015 Tiggy's clutch - and the case of sticker shock that comes without it. Read on, McDuff.

WHAT IT IS

The Tiggy is a compact crossover SUV built on the same basic platform as the VW Golf - from which it derives its sporty rather than utilitarian character.

It is among the smallest of compact crossovers - almost seven inches shorter overall than a Toyota RAV4, about six inches shorter overall than a Ford Escape and five inches shorter overall than a Mazda5 CX-5. This makes it easier to park - and leaves more room in your garage - but also less room for cargo (just 23.8 cubes behind the second row) than others in its class.

But, the Tiggy has a powerful - and standard equipment - 200 hp turbocharged engine. Most of the others in this class either don't have such an engine - or it's an optional (and extra-cost engine).

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