BMW M Still Exploring Tech Solutions to Keep Manual Transmissions in High-Performance Models

BMW M Division acknowledges that manual transmissions have engineering limitations, as they restrict engine torque output, whereas automatic gearboxes can handle the full power of the inline-six engine. While it’s technically feasible to develop a more robust manual transmission for higher-performance applications, cost constraints and limited market demand currently restrict sales of manual-equipped models. Additionally, increasingly stringent emissions regulations give automatic transmissions an edge, as they help reduce CO₂ emissions. Most driver-assistance systems are also designed around automatic gearboxes, and transmission suppliers show little interest in producing manual units in small volumes. However, BMW hasn’t entirely abandoned manual transmissions. Sylvia Neubauer, Vice President of Customer, Brand, and Sales at BMW M, stated that engineers are actively exploring solutions to retain the clutch pedal even as the 3.0-liter engine continues to gain power. Current measures include limiting output on manual models—for example, the current M2 with a manual gearbox delivers 50 Nm less torque than its automatic counterpart. Currently, only three BMW M models still offer a manual transmission: the M2, M3, and M4. The Z4 M40i ceased production this month and is no longer available with a manual option. The current-generation M3 is expected to end production by late 2026 or early 2027, while the M2 and M4 Coupe could remain in production until the end of this decade. The next-generation M3, set to launch in 2028, will continue with a six-cylinder internal combustion engine and is planned to be sold into the 2030s. Meanwhile, electric M models are under development, but high-performance internal combustion vehicles will still hold a share of the market in the near term.