BMW Doesn’t Rule Out Next-Gen M Cars With A Manual Gearbox

With electrification looming, the handbook gearbox is on its final legs. More and more subtle driver help and security techniques are additionally accelerating the clutch pedal’s demise. The truth that the stick shift’s take charge continues to fall isn’t serving to both. Regardless of these developments, BMW isn’t giving up on providing three pedals in M vehicles.

Throughout the Le Mans weekend, BMWBLOG chatted with Sylvia Neubauer, M’s Vice President of Buyer, Model, and Gross sales, about whether or not manuals have a future. Though the efficiency division isn’t firmly committing to retaining the 6MT alive for the lengthy haul, it’s not closing the door both:

“I believe BMW will at all times be very inventive. We are able to at all times give it some thought [M car with a manual transmission]. BMW M is a slightly entrepreneurial firm of very passionate M guys. So if our engineers could make it occur, I believe they may at all times attempt to take action.”

Whereas Sylvia was referring to the prospects of a next-gen M automotive with a stick, she informed us BMW isn’t performed with the handbook in current merchandise:

“For the present mannequin lineup, we at all times have concepts in thoughts to carry extra manuals into sure markets in a sure amount as a result of we all know that there are handbook transmission lovers on the market. Sure, we are going to maintain you content.”

Not that this comes as a shock, however throughout the identical interview, we discovered BMW gained’t put a handbook in Neue Klasse vehicles. Consequently, don’t anticipate to row your individual gears within the electric M3 (“ZA0”). A clutch pedal within the next-gen gasoline mannequin (“G84”) is a particular possibly, but it surely’s definitely not deliberate for its zero-emission cousin.

Within the meantime, the present M2, M3, and M4 are prone to maintain their manuals till the very finish. The “G87” is anticipated to stay in manufacturing till the second half of 2029. The 2 bigger M vehicles will likely be retired sooner, because the “G80” is prone to bow out in 2027 to make method for its “G84” replacement. As for the “G82,” the coupe is reportedly going to be retired the next 12 months. We’ve beforehand reported that BMW could not do one other M4 with a gasoline engine, because the ICE-powered 4 Sequence is unlikely to be renewed.

It’s too early to know what the longer term holds for the M2 past its second era. Having a follow-up mannequin by means of the 2030s with a handbook can be nice, however we don’t have a crystal ball. We do know that BMW is contemplating upgrading the present “G87” with xDrive and probably even a CSL.