If Audi is not doing it they should.
As Audi goes after BMW's more sporting image the manual would be great. Additionally, as the BMW X3 has become more soft and luxurious there is an opportunity to make a more function/performance oriented crossover that will live beyond a stylish grocery getter.

manual would only give it lower epa ratings

that means crashing another Q5 w/ a manual here in the US. I doubt it is worth it to Audi to go through this testing for what would be a small number of buyers who want a manual.

Merc doesn't believe in manual tranny's but, the X3 is nice in MT, Q5 should be too