On a number of events, BMW has warned us that the handbook gearbox resides on borrowed time. The demise of the stick shift is inevitable, primarily due to the low take charge. In 2023, solely 20% of the M3s and M4s offered in america had the 6MT. The cruel actuality is there aren’t sufficient fanatics on the market shopping for vehicles with three pedals. However there are different the reason why rowing your individual gears is regularly changing into a misplaced artwork.
As security and driver help methods evolve, these work finest with automobiles geared up with an computerized transmission. As well as, the proliferation of hybrids and purely electrical automobiles can also be placing a nail within the handbook gearbox’s coffin. These components have created an ideal storm. That’s why a BMW with a 6MT will develop into a factor of the previous prior to you would possibly assume.
Right now, we’re utilizing our proverbial crystal ball to determine which automobile would be the final with a clutch pedal. In early June, BMW launched the next-generation 1 Sequence as an automatic-only affair. As we reported firstly of the 12 months, the earlier F70 mannequin nonetheless had a handbook on the most cost effective variations offered in Europe.
The two Sequence Gran Coupe nonetheless has three pedals in its lesser configurations supplied in choose markets. Nevertheless, the F44 is weeks/months away from retirement. The F74 arrives this fall and we’re sure it’ll be offered solely with a seven-speed, dual-clutch auto. A protracted-wheelbase F78 variant of the compact sedan for China is assured to have simply two pedals as effectively.
The Handbook BMW M2 Might Be Dying
You’ll be capable of purchase an M2 with a handbook for some time however there are indicators the G87 will eliminate the third pedal within the coming years. We’ve been reporting on an xDrive variant for some time, and the way its potential launch in 2026 might spell the top of the rear-wheel-drive configuration. If that occurs, the RWD’s demise will even imply the handbook’s retirement.
That stated, we’re not excluding a possible return of the handbook for a high-priced, low-volume M2 earlier than the present technology runs its course. Who is aware of, that could be the ultimate BMW with the do-it-yourself transmission. The G87 nonetheless has a few years forward as we’re listening to manufacturing gained’t finish till the second half of 2029. A good longer life cycle is a risk as a result of there’s possible no time for a brand new technology.
With the EU banning gross sales of latest vehicles with combustion engines in 2035, odds are there gained’t be a next-gen M2. Technically, the ban shall be on vehicles with dangerous emissions as ICE automobiles working on carbon-neutral fuels shall be allowed. It stays to be seen whether or not the manufacturing of artificial fuels shall be ramped as much as help such a large inflow of vehicles produced yearly.
Will The Subsequent-Gen BMW M3 (G84) Nonetheless Have Three Pedals?
Stepping as much as the M3, the G80 is reportedly going out of manufacturing in early 2027. Nevertheless, we’ve heard via the grapevine BMW will do one other technology with a gasoline engine. Internally codenamed “G84,” the next-gen automobile is scheduled to come back out in early 2028. It’s unclear whether or not the handbook will survive. If it does, logic tells us it’ll outlive the three-pedal M2, successfully making it the ultimate mannequin with the “old-school” gearbox.
Our sources near BMW have instructed us {that a} new 4 Sequence just isn’t deliberate, so don’t get your hopes up for an additional M4. As a refresher, the present technology provides a handbook solely within the M4 G82 Coupe. The G83 Convertible is offered solely as a Competitors xDrive mannequin. The identical goes for the extra sensible M3 G81 Touring.
The Z4 has been providing a handbook ever for the reason that G29 debuted in 2018. Up till earlier this 12 months, you would solely purchase the roadster with three pedals by choosing the sDrive20i offered exterior of america. The globally accessible Z4 M40i now provides the 6MT setup as effectively. However the query is – for the way lengthy? It’s been broadly reported that BMW will discontinue the open-top sports activities vehicles in early 2026. There are not any plans for a direct alternative.
The BMW Handbook Nonetheless Has A Few Good Years Left
In October 2022, BMW M CEO Frank van Meel promised to maintain the handbook transmission alive till 2030. Nevertheless, there was an asterisk connected to his assertion as a result of it relies on buyer demand. The M division has additionally pledged to maintain the inline-six and V8 engines within the lineup till the top of the last decade. Meaning you have got about 5 years left earlier than hybrids and EVs take over.
We’ve solely lined common manufacturing fashions however who’s to say BMW gained’t do one other particular challenge just like the 3.0 CSL? With the clock ticking, an ultra-exclusive, high-priced handbook M automobile could be an prompt collector’s merchandise. If the corporate had no issues promoting the M4 CSL-based 3.0 CSL for a rumored €750,000, it’s assured it could actually cost an obscene sum of money for a remaining M with a stick.
It doesn’t even need to be a coachbuilt automobile like the three.0 CSL. An M2 CSL because the handbook gearbox’s epilogue could be a business hit. It might make sense for BMW to mark the retirement of the 6MT with a ludicrously costly special-edition automobile. We’ve already seen a limited-run M3 MT Last Version in Japan the place the sports activities sedan has gone auto-only.
The writing is on the wall. Earlier this 12 months, Frank van Meel stated you’d higher act quick if you would like a three-pedal M automobile: “There are enjoyable merchandise, however let’s be trustworthy, the volumes are getting smaller and smaller. And so, it doesn’t make sense to develop them anymore. In order for you a handbook M, you must purchase it now.”
The place Is The Handbook M240i, BMW?
Though BMW has performed its half to save lots of the manuals higher than rivals Mercedes and Audi, one mannequin is lacking from the lineup. Sure, the M240i with a clutch pedal. Is it too late to throw a stick shift within the 2 Sequence Coupe? Possibly not contemplating the G42 is supposedly staying in manufacturing till mid-2029.
Nevertheless, we don’t know whether or not this cheaper M2 different is going on. The bean counters from Munich would possibly’ve stated no already. It wouldn’t take lots of effort to make it occur now that BMW sells the Z4 M40i with a handbook. In spite of everything, the B58+6MT combo just isn’t precisely a novelty.
When all is claimed and carried out, time is working out for handbook vehicles from Bavaria. In order for you one, you most likely have only some years to make the leap.
