BMW’s Handbook Transmission Dies with the Present M2

The handbook BMW’s days are numbered. BMW M’s head of growth Dirk Hacker confirmed as a lot in an interview with Top Gear, saying the M2 will seemingly be the final automotive from the model to supply a stick shift and three pedals.

“It is not solely a call of BMW, it is also a call of the suppliers,” Hacker informed Prime Gear when requested whether or not the handbook will die with the present M2. “In case you have a look round, you will note the long run for handbook gearbox suppliers will lower. So I am unsure we could have the likelihood sooner or later—however sooner or later means six, seven years in forecast.”

UWE FISCHER/BMW

Different producers are taking a distinct path, bringing the handbook expertise into the electrical period utilizing artificial gear shifts and engine sounds. Toyota confirmed this morning it is growing a efficiency EV with a handbook transmission. However Hacker is not eager on the concept for BMW. “I believe it could possibly be executed, however we won’t try this,” he informed Prime Gear.

This information jibes with what BMW M boss Frank van Meel stated at an occasion final 12 months, the place he confirmed BMW would provide the stick shift till the top of the last decade. A BMW North America spokesperson declined to touch upon Hacker’s plans, saying that the handbook would proceed to be supplied on the present M2, M3, and M4.

Hacker additionally stated the dual-clutch transmission is a factor of the previous for BMW M automobiles, touting the superior efficiency discovered within the eight-speed torque converter automated from ZF.

“The double clutch, from BMW M’s perspective lately, it’s gone,” he informed Prime Gear. “It is now handbook or automated, and automated electrified for the long run . . . the automated is healthier performing than the double clutch. Within the M4 CSL it is faster-shifting and on the opposite facet, we additionally use this automated within the new M4 GTR race automotive.”