For many automakers today, the manual transmission is an annoyance. While there are still enthusiasts clamoring to row their own gears, the business case is simply not always there. Case in point: the latest BMW 3 Series. With the likely exception of the upcoming next-gen M3, the only gearbox is an eight-speed automatic. So it goes, but not for Genesis. The South Korean luxury brand has just confirmed its 2020 model year G70 sport sedan will continue to offer a six-speed manual gearbox. Enthusiasts matter.

Standard power comes from a turbocharged 2.0-liter inline-four; the larger and more powerful twin-turbo 3.3-liter V6 remains automatic-only. Motor1 says Genesis Chief Operating Officer Erwin Raphael confirmed the six-speed's continued existence in a conference call.

As a brand, Genesis has been doing extremely well with a 38 percent year-over-year sales increase through the first half of this year. One key ingredient to that success was the G70. So far in 2019, a total of 10,007 examples have been sold, which translates to nearly 57 percent of its overall sales.

Interestingly, the G70's two larger siblings, the G80 and G90, both saw sales drops during that same time period, by 40.6 and 41.9 percent, respectively. Fortunately, both sedans are slated to receive clearly much-needed refreshes in the very near future. Genesis will also soon debut its first SUV crossover, the midsize GV80 next year, most likely at the 2020 New York Auto Show.

It's also heavily invested in a range of powertrain technologies, including all-electric, plug-in hybrid, and even hydrogen fuel cells. All bases are being covered. There's also reports a production version of this year's Mint Concept is in the works. At least for the next upcoming model year, the Genesis G70 will continue to be the enthusiast's sport sedan of choice.