BMW is without doubt one of the few automakers that also affords guide transmissions on its high-performance fashions. In 2023, they proved standard within the U.S. “Demand for guide transmissions in our high-performance M merchandise remained very robust in 2023, accounting for about 20 % of M3 and M4 gross sales (mixed) and over half of M2 gross sales,” a BMW spokesperson informed Motor1 in an e mail.
It’s value noting that solely the bottom M3 and M4 fashions are supplied with a guide transmission. The Competitors, Competitors xDrive, and particular editions just like the M3 CS and M4 CSL are automatic-only, whereas the bottom fashions are manual-only. Proper now, the M2 is obtainable as, merely, the M2, with a alternative of six-speed guide or eight-speed automated gearboxes.
In any case, these are very robust numbers, reflective of a pattern amongst fanatics embracing the guide transmission as an all-electric future looms. BMW can be one of many few automakers to broaden its U.S guide choices, with a six-speed choice for the Z4 M40i coming a while later this yr.
BMW isn’t the one automaker to have success with manuals on efficiency vehicles. As we reported beforehand, Cadillac has a near-50-percent take fee for the six-speed on the CT4-V and CT5-V Blackwing sedans, each of that are rivals to numerous BMW M fashions.
BMW M has dedicated to promoting manual-transmission vehicles till the top of the last decade, by which level most, if not all, M vehicles will probably be electrified. We all know for sure that the present M2 would be the final internal-combustion-only M automotive, with the brand new M5 set to go plug-in hybrid when it arrives later this yr.
So, whereas time is working out on guide BMW efficiency vehicles, they’re not going away instantly. You’ve bought just a few extra years to get your six-speed M2 order in.
